Last week, my children and I had the wonderful opportunity to be onboard a beautiful cruise ship to Bermuda. We attempted to make this trip a couple of years ago, but a tropical storm prevented us from reaching our destination and we were forced to turn around. (Click here to listen to this message.)
However, this time, we had outstanding weather and got to experience all the things you hear about this island in the sea. We had loads of fun and yes, the transition back to reality was (and still is) hard.
One of the things we got to do while on the ship was an event called “Ask The Crew,” in which the passengers could ask questions of the higher-ranking crew members which included the captain. We all learned quite a bit about how the ship works from these knowledgeable individuals.
After the event, I introduced myself to the captain and got an opportunity to ask him a few additional questions (laugh if you will):
- How did you get to be captain?
- If you’re here in the Atrium with us, who’s driving the ship?
He told me he had risen through the ranks of the cruise line itself, one position at a time, until he reached the top. In response to my second question, he shared that there was both a navigation system and a crew who were highly trained to “drive the ship” in his absence.
To say that I was impressed by him is an understatement. He was cool, confident, and classy. Exactly what you’d envision a captain of a monstrous cruise ship to be.
What does a cruise ship captain have to do with God or faith? Well – a lot actually. You see, I put my life and the lives of my children in his hands for five days. I completely trusted him to guide our ways and keep us safe.
Isn’t this what the Bible teaches us to do with God? To place our complete, unfettered trust in Him resting in His promise that He will bring us safely to and from each day (Proverbs 3:5-6)?
Here’s the funny thing…when I heard the captain’s voice on the loudspeaker on the first day, there was something about it that gave me peace. His voice alone put me at ease about the entire trip. When I met him in person, that peace settled in even deeper.
And when he took a selfie with us? Well, let’s just say that sealed the deal. I felt like he knew us personally.
This is how our relationship with God should work. We get to know about Him by hearing His voice (we read the Bible). Next, we get to know Him even more when we meet Him in the person of Jesus Christ. Then we seek to deepen that relationship by spending time in prayer and listening for that still small voice that guides us.
So the question that we all must answer is: Who’s driving our ship? Is it a well-trained captain or a novice crew member? Is it feelings and circumstances that change like the wind or the unchanging character of God?
Do we let the cares of this world determine our level of peace or do we rest knowing that the Captain of the universe has us in the palm of His hand?
Our last trip to Bermuda was cancelled due to bad weather. This time, after a brief sun shower when we docked, a rainbow appeared – the perfect illustration that God was fulfilling His promise to us that all would be well. And it was.
I’m grateful to the captain who skillfully navigated us from New York to Bermuda and back again. Yet, I’m even more grateful to God, my Captain who navigates my steps every single day.
This week, I’d like to encourage you to ask yourself – who’s driving your ship? And if it’s anyone or anything other than God, it might be time to change course.