The moment they realized the engine
was not starting again. Ever. Followed
by the moment they realized that their radios could not reach anyone, on the
ocean or on land. Those had to be the two
most frightening moments. Being
surrounded by sharks was probably a close third. How do you deal with that kind of fear? You
keep on sailing.
Two female sailors and two
dogs, on their way from Honolulu to Tahiti in their small boat encounter a
Pacific Ocean storm which destroys their engine. Two sailors smart enough to pack a year’s
worth of food, supplies and a water purifier.
But, despite their best hopes and efforts, the boat’s sails did not take
them to safety. They were more than off course. They were lost. In the middle
of an ocean. And the months passed, one, two three, four, five months, lost at
sea. Thousands of miles of course, and no way to figure out a way back home.
They were really lost, they thought.
But they were not lost. They
were just not yet found. A Taiwanese
fishing boat found them, which in turn called upon the U.S. Coast Guard, which
came to the rescue of the sailors and their dogs. When asked to comment on
their work of finding, of saving the lost, Commander Steven Wasson said, "The
U.S. Navy is postured to assist any distressed mariner of any nationality
during any type of situation." (Source:
John Bacon, USA Today, 10.26.17)
It is easy to get lost when
the storms come up. And despite the best planning, if you are stuck in the
middle of an ocean of troubles, it is normal to feel lost. But someone, somewhere, is looking for you.
Someone is ready to turn your ocean of troubles into an ocean of grace.
Define Grace: for any
distressed mariner; of any nationality; in any type of situation, the Commander
is ready to pluck you up and place you on the rescue boat.
If we believe that this is
the mission of U.S. Navy, why do we find it so hard to believe it is the
mission of God to do the same?
‘Grace Alone’.
God is in the business of
finding the lost. Mission accomplished.
Shalom,
Pastor Bill
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