August 31, 2016 - It was a beautiful morning as the young sailor walked up the gang plank onto the deck of the ship. He couldn't believe the day had finally arrived. It was the day that he, an Ensign on a large military ship was going to get the chance to be in control at the helm as the ship leaves port. He had gone through the deportation process over and over in his head. He knew it by heart. As he climbed into the captain’s chair he could feel the power of the ships massive engines vibrating the whole ship. He sat for a moment to gather his thoughts and then began giving orders to the seamen. "Cast off lines," "engines slow forward," "Helmsman turns starboard."
They had gotten underway without a hitch. About the time the ship leaves the pier, the Captains phone rang and the young Ensign answered, "Yes sir." It was the ship’s Captain calling to congratulate the young sailor on a job well done. As the Captain praised the young man on how well he had gotten the ship underway, He said, "There was just one thing that you forgot." The young man quickly went through the procedure in his head before replying, "What was that sir?" The captain replied with a snicker, “You forgot to make sure the Captain was on board before you left port."
When you head off to sea without your captain, you may be able to get by for a while. You may even say this is not that hard of a job. However when the storms hit, the engines quit, and the sailor’s mutiny, you quickly realize you need the help of the only person who has the wisdom, experience, and knowledge to handle the situation. With the Captain on board these big problems are quickly solved.
Life is no different. We can get by for a while steering our own ship but when the storms of life start beating us down we realize that we need a Captain. When our car breaks down and we have no money to repair it, when our friends and family turn against us, we need a Captain for our life. Hebrews 2:10 tells us we have a Captain in Jesus. "For it was fitting for Him for whom all things and by whom are all things, in bringing many sons to glory to make the captain of their salvation perfect through suffering." When we leave the port of our homes every morning to set sail on our day we need to make sure the captain is on board with us.
We do this by praying and meditating on the word before we head out the door, allowing the Holy Spirit to guide and lead us around or even through those storms of life. Remember Proverbs 3:5-6 "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding, but in all things acknowledging him, and He will make your paths straight." Jesus wants you to trust him and let him see you through your day. He wants to be the Captain of your ship. If you would just surrender to Him and let Him take over the "helm" of your life it may not always be smooth sailing but you will always arrive safely at the right port.
I'm Just Sayin’,
Mike Belgard
