DON’T LEAVE SHORE WITHOUT HIM

A young ensign was completing his first deployment aboard a large destroyer. He had performed all of his duties in an exemplary manner, and as a reward, the captain gave him permission to “get the ship underway.”

In his excitement and enthusiasm for being given such an honor, he went through every procedure carefully, wanting to further impress his superiors. However, in taking advantage of this new challenge, he broke an old tradition. As he was steering the ship out of the harbor, the First Officer quietly said to him, “Ensign, you have overlooked one of the unwritten rules of the sea. Make sure the Captain is on board before you get underway.”

There are times in all of our lives when we are so anxious to “get underway” that we leave our “Captain” standing on the shore. We all face days of uncertainty with tasks that seem beyond us. We are overwhelmed by new opportunities that are unfamiliar to us and demands that have defeated others around us. So, unprepared and uncertain, we “get underway” without God “at the helm.” Then we discover that we are in a sea with waves that would turn our lives upside down and winds that take away our breath. Unfortunately, we often “leave shore” without our Captain. Fortunately, when we return “to shore,” we find Him there waiting to take the “helm” of our life and save us. The winds and waves obey His voice!

Prayer:  Lord, may we realize that we are not safe unless You are at the “helm” of our lives. Without You steering us we place ourselves in harm’s way. Save us! In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Scripture For Today:       Even there your hand will guide me, and your strength will support me. Psalm 139:10