Two days in a row, must be a record. I am feeling very reflective tonight and thought I would share my thoughts.
There were many times in my life when I used to be the person that everyone looked up to. I am not so sure of that anymore. I think as I have gotten older, I have realized how many of them are the ones that I look up to. There was a story told to me once that went something like this..."Tommy wanted to be like Harry, who wanted to be like Tim, who wanted to be like Sam, who wanted to be like Jim, who wanted to be like Fred, who wanted to be like Mike, who wanted to be like Tommy." Funny how that works sometimes. I want to be like Jesus. I am nowhere close and failing miserably. I'm not even in the same stadium.
I am Bible College educated, ministry experienced and I am no example to anyone. This is not me feeling sorry for myself, so don't take this as that. I want to make sure that I am not trying to put on some self-imposed false humility. I have this committment posted next to my bed. And I have decided that it is something that I want to live by. I am not even close. But every night before I go to sleep I write it down in my journal. Maybe someday my banner will be clear enough for Christ to recognize what I could become. For only he knows. I am not unhappy with my life. I have no regrets about doing what I do. I am simply not there yet. And God help me, if I ever think I have arrived.
May God bless you and keep you, all my friends. For He knows how much of a blessing you have been in my life as I try to emulate your image of Christ in my own daily life.
Saturday, October 11, 2008
Thursday, October 9, 2008
Big Blue
We have been underway now for about 3 weeks. We still have some time to go before we get to head home. While I have only been here since February, I have definitely spent more time at sea than I have spent on land. The sea is something that affects each person in a different way. When you look outside and see nothing but water in all directions, it can be very overwhelming.
For many the sea is a dreadful overpowering force. It makes one feel so small and insignificant to think about the power of water and how we have no control over where it goes or what it does. Its been known to swallow whole civilizations in a single night and yet leave something unscathed. Almost like tornadoes that I grew up with only on a much bigger scale. It has been known to drive many to a cabin fever like attitude. Being stuck on a ship with only the people you left with for 3 months and no land can drive many people mad. Believe me, I have seen many sailors have nervous breakdowns apart from family and no place of their own to hide.
For me however, the sea has a very calming affect. I am less afraid of being at sea than I am of flying in an airplane across the oceans. There is a rhythm and routine about life at sea. God is very kind in knowing that I love when life finds that rhythm. There is a scene in the movie "Shawshank Redemption" talking about the Pacific ocean. Tim Robbin's character says, "The pacific ocean has no memory." There are so many spiritual things that could come out of that statement. God says he will cast my sins as far as the east is from the west and remember them no more. The pacific ocean is so vast that you will never look at the same water twice. I find that to be truely beautiful. Every day is a new adventure when on the open ocean, as you are always finding new territory to explore. God is truly great in all his creation is He not? Some day I hope to see it all.
For many the sea is a dreadful overpowering force. It makes one feel so small and insignificant to think about the power of water and how we have no control over where it goes or what it does. Its been known to swallow whole civilizations in a single night and yet leave something unscathed. Almost like tornadoes that I grew up with only on a much bigger scale. It has been known to drive many to a cabin fever like attitude. Being stuck on a ship with only the people you left with for 3 months and no land can drive many people mad. Believe me, I have seen many sailors have nervous breakdowns apart from family and no place of their own to hide.
For me however, the sea has a very calming affect. I am less afraid of being at sea than I am of flying in an airplane across the oceans. There is a rhythm and routine about life at sea. God is very kind in knowing that I love when life finds that rhythm. There is a scene in the movie "Shawshank Redemption" talking about the Pacific ocean. Tim Robbin's character says, "The pacific ocean has no memory." There are so many spiritual things that could come out of that statement. God says he will cast my sins as far as the east is from the west and remember them no more. The pacific ocean is so vast that you will never look at the same water twice. I find that to be truely beautiful. Every day is a new adventure when on the open ocean, as you are always finding new territory to explore. God is truly great in all his creation is He not? Some day I hope to see it all.
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