As the years pass, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018– and now 2019!! I have begun to realise the reality that this world is not my home. The saying “I’m just passing through” really hits home… I feel now more than ever the calling that I have been given to reveal the endless love of God to the world.
“Let the Lower lights be burning, send a gleam across the wave, some poor fainting struggling seamen you may rescue you may save!!”
Hymn: Let the Lower lights be Burning
The words of this hymn are very fitting to the work we are commissioned to do. I would like to share a story, which portrays solemnly the sacred duty we are called to carry out.
In June 2016, an experienced sailor by the name of Steve accompanied a skipper and her husband, as part of the crew, on a race from New Zealand to Fiji. Steve was an experienced seaman and well acquainted with the dangers, as well as joys of sailing. The expedition seemed to be going just fine – the crew had sailed about half way from NZ to Fiji, and had been successfully sharing the shifts. Steve had just finished his shift one morning and had gone down into the galley to have breakfast. As he did so he removed his safety gear. And just at that moment as he was preparing to eat he heard an ear-piercing scream! Steve in a moment was up on deck assessing the situation in a split-second, realising what had just happened he screamed to the skipper “DUCK!” she immediately obeyed as the boom which had come loose swung over her, having already bashed and killed another crew member just moments before. Moments later, after saving the skipper’s life, Steve was washed overboard. Without his gear, he couldn’t last terribly long in the open sea, so he raised his hand as he struggled in the waters – “some poor fainting struggling seaman” – desperately seeking for help as there were still 4 crew members on the yacht; the skipper, her husband and two others. Yet nothing was thrown out to Steve, no efforts were made to save Him! – “you may rescue, you may save” – he waited, watched, waving his hand and then without a rescuer the fainting struggling seaman – was buried beneath the ocean waves – and drowned.
Later an investigation was taken into this incident – and they discovered that despite the hull on the yacht not working, the yacht circled around Steve three times! The boat was going round and round, and no one, NO ONE saved him?! THREE TIMES!
This story puts a different perspective on the words of the old hymn – “Some poor fainting, struggling seaman, YOU may rescue, YOU may save!”
This is my life’s mission – to rescue and save some poor fainting struggling seaman! There is a great work to be done. “Are you doing all you can to help? God has given us a commission, which angels might envy.” {MM 131.2}
‘There is nothing that the world needs so much as the manifestation through humanity of the Saviour’s love. . . ‘ {M 128.}
NOTHING!
This should be our mission – to reveal to the world the undying, never-ending, steadfast love of God!
M = Maranatha by Ellen White
MM = Medical Ministry by Ellen White
AUTHOR: Ashleigh, attends Port Macquarie Church.