We set sail on July 15th,
1972 from SteelPoint Harbor on a glistening day in Bridgeport, Connecticut. The four of us took a week off from our busy
schedules to pleasure cruise the North Atlantic. News reports favored our choice of time and
place for the trip: July had been a month of steady winds and sun-lit
days.
Night fell this third
evening of our voyage; it was 8:15.
Trenton stood below deck combing his ever-thinning head of hair, when
the mirror that dangled from the brass hook on the wall jolted violently, as
the cabin shook with a loud thud. Trenton lashed backwards from the crash. His back bruised hard against the boat’s
radio, which slammed against the floor.
Trenton lay stunned, as he caressed his throbbing spine. He suffered minor bruises only; his main
concerns centered on the boat, and as he examined the radio, he realized it was
destroyed.
Trenton burst in a
loud voice, “What did we hit?” Stephen,
whose hands tightly grasped the helm replied, “I’m not sure, but whatever it
was, it hit us hard, very hard!” I
darted toward the starboard side of the boat, with my pocket flashlight in
hand. The light revealed extensive
damage. After a closer look, I spotted
water seeping into the hull of our sailboat at a slow, but steady rate. Pete looked on with me saying, “Hey you guys,
we better radio for help, the boat is taking in water.” Trenton hollered, “We may not be able to, I
smashed into the radio from the hit and I don’t think it’s working!”
The four of us
understood the danger. Without a radio
to call for help we would have to sail the sinking ship to shore (this was
before the world had cell phones). We
were perhaps 10-15 miles from land, with no surety of where the nearest harbor
lay. The longer we remained at sea the
greater the chance for our 35 foot boat to capsize. Though the water streamed
in slowly, its inflow could eventually cause us to sink into the sea.
Stephen opened the
compartment under his seat and fetched his telescope. This high-powered viewfinder came in handy on
past cruises. He scanned up and down,
right and left, but saw only black. As
he searched towards the southwest, he discerned a flicker of light. Centering on the area, he smiled and
declared, “I see a lighthouse” “Where?”
the three of us asked. We then took
turns viewing the precious find.
We quickly set sail
towards the beacon. With the wind behind
us and our engine on full throttle we made it safely to shore. The boat was repairable, and we each gave
thanks for the lighthouse that guided us to safety.
This story had a
happy ending. Trouble in our own lives
sometimes resolves well, as in the story.
At other times, difficulty lingers and we may wonder where to turn.
The four men sat at
sea alone in the dark. They were sinking
and had no way to contact anyone for help.
After searching, they found a lighthouse that directed them to safety.
Life was not meant to
be lived in the dark. We would have
problems functioning at home or on the job without its illumination. There is a light that burns brighter than the
light we can perceive with our eyes. The
sun in all its brilliance cannot compare with it. I am referring to The Light of the World -
another name for Jesus Christ. The
scripture says that in Him there is no darkness (1 John 1:5). His light can steer a trouble-tossed life to
safe ground. His love brings true peace
and healing. He is a refuge in times of
trouble (Psalms 46:1).
2,000 years ago,
Jesus hung beneath a darkened sky. His
arms stretched wide, red with blood. His
feet pressed hard against the vertical beam.
It was not the nails that held Jesus to the cross: it was His heart of
love for you and me. Jesus died in our
place as a sinless sacrifice. The
scripture says it was because of our own sin that Jesus journeyed to the
cross.
He, who had no sin,
offered his own life to bring us back into relationship with God (Isaiah
53:4-6). Three days after his death, he
rose victoriously from the dead. By
accepting Jesus as your Lord and Savior, you can be forgiven and experience the
joy of being accepted into God’s family.
God desires to have a
personal and loving relationship with you.
He wants to help you in life’s trials.
He longs to guide you and shine his light on your path. As long as we live in this world, there will
be trouble, but living without the Savior is like trying to fight an enemy
blindfolded. True light for our
spiritual lives can only come through Jesus.
If you desire to
receive Jesus into your life, pray this prayer with all of your heart...
Dear Father God,
I realize that I need you in my
life. I have tried to live without your Light to guide me. I am sorry for my sins. Thank you for sending Jesus to die in my
place. I believe that Jesus, the Son of
God, rose again.
Jesus please come into my
heart. I am now your child, and I thank
you that I will one day go to heaven. I
choose to live for You, and I thank You for helping me during the trials of
life when they come. In Jesus Name I
pray. Amen.
To cultivate your newfound relationship with God,
here are some helpful tips...
Read the Bible daily –
it is food for our soul. A chapter a day is a good place to start. It might be helpful to concentrate initially
on the New Testament, Psalms, and Proverbs.
Pray daily - it’s
like water for our spiritual nourishment.
Prayer is talking to God. Give
Him your cares and concerns; thank Him for His love and blessings. Ask Him for forgiveness, when you need
to. The Lord will forgive you and help
you get up and try again (1 John 1:9).
Talk and listen - prayer is two-way communication with God.
Tell others about Jesus
- don’t be afraid to let your light shine.
The Lord will help you let others know about His love.
Find a good church
where the people love God and where the Bible is preached with compassion and
conviction.
Ask Jesus to fill
you, to overflowing, with His Holy Spirit.
Congratulations, you
have now made the most important decision of your life! So begins a new and highly significant
chapter in your life. You can thank God
that you have His light to guide you each day, from now to eternity.
