Karl Priest
[Originally published as Sailing on God’s Ship]
The Christian life can be compared to service in the United States Navy. Here is how.
When I joined the Navy, I made a commitment. Then I used a book, the Blue Jacket’s Manual, that contained everything I needed to know to be a good sailor.
I went to my duty station to stand against the enemy, where I served with a variety of shipmates. Some were more dedicated than others. One thing we had in common was that we knew rough seas would come.
Down in the ship, there were no windows, so we could not see the weather conditions.
Sometimes, the sea was so calm that we could not tell that we were at sea. It was like standing on the floor of a building. Most of the time, the ship gently rocked.
When a storm approached, we would hear it announced over the ship’s speaker system (1MC). Shortly after that, we would near, “Lash down! Now, lash down!” Then we had to tie down, or secure, anything that could fall off a shelf or slide across a deck and be damaged.
The next thing we would hear was, “All hands stand by for high seas and heavy rolls! All hands stand by for high seas and heavy rolls!” Then the ship would rock so much that walking down a passageway required pushing off a bulkhead on one side and then pushing off the bulkhead on the opposite side all the way down the passageway.
We could not control the storm. We had to trust our captain to get us through the storm and to our destination port.
When you became a Christian, you made a commitment. You have a book (the Bible) that tells you everything you need to know to be a good Christian.
At your duty station (usually a local church), you serve with a variety of fellow Christians as you stand against the Enemy. Some are more dedicated than others. One thing you have in common is that, because of John 16:33, you all know that the storms of life (tribulations*) will come.
When a storm of life approaches, you need to lash down your Christian values so that they are not damaged. It may be difficult for you to walk the Christian walk.
You have to trust your captain. Your captain is the Lord Jesus Christ and He will get you through the storm and to your destination port–heaven!
Sail on!
Footnote
*tribulation: noun [Latin tribulo, to thrash, to beat.] Severe affliction; distresses of life; vexations. In Scripture, it often denotes the troubles and distresses which proceed from persecution. SOURCE
These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world. John 16:33
