The Light House
One very foggy night the captain of a large ship saw what appeared to be another ship's lights approaching in the distance. The two were on a course that would mean a certain head-on collision.
So quickly the captain signaled to the approaching vessel, "Change your course ten degrees west."
The reply came, blinking back through the thickening fog, "You change your course ten degrees east."
The captain became insulted, pulled rank, and angrily sent a message back: "I'm a sea captain with 35 years experience. Change your course ten degrees west."
Without hesitation, the signal flashed back, "I'm a seaman, fourth class. You change your course ten degree east."
The captain, now becoming enraged, realized that the two ships were rapidly approaching one another, and would certainly crash in a few short minutes. So he sent his final warning: "Now you listen hear. I'm a fifty thousand ton freighter. Change your course ten degree west - now!"
A simple message came blinking back: "I'm a light house. Change your course!"
Like the Sea Captain, we may need to change course when confronted with the truth. That's what happens when we make it a priority to spend time reading and applying God's Word. It is eternal truth. It doesn't change. So we need to adjust our likes to walk in that truth.
So many of us spend dour lives avoiding the truth of God's word because we don't want to walk in it. Christ said in John 8:32 that “the truth shall set you free.”, but as Herbert Agar wrote in A Time For Greatness, “The truth that makes men free is for the most part the truth which men prefer not to hear.
Teach me Thy way O Lord, I will walk in Thy Truth. - Psalm 86:11
Therefore, be careful how you walk, not as unwise men, but as wise making the most of your time.
Ephesians 5:15, 16
I used to think that it meant,or I was told it meant, that you were to keep busy, to make the most of the time of every minute of everyday and that never did sit quiet right with me. So I struggled with that and instead of constantly working on 'Church/religious' projects like most I knew did. I would spend time relaxing (sitting out and watching the sunrise over a mist covered lake out in the woods of Ontario for example), spending time with friends and family as well as doing something in the Ministry. The Zealots always made me feel bad about that as if I was squandering my time away, but then I read something about how it means..make the most of time as in stop to cherish the life given you. These things will slip away as time passes, so make the most of your time with those around you. Children grow up and move away, friends take a different path and the connection fades family sometimes drift apart or they simply pass away as they grow old. I'm not saying to shirk off responsibilities but don't let work and professional drive be the only things in life. Life is a gift to be enjoyed. Make the most of it.
So quickly the captain signaled to the approaching vessel, "Change your course ten degrees west."
The reply came, blinking back through the thickening fog, "You change your course ten degrees east."
The captain became insulted, pulled rank, and angrily sent a message back: "I'm a sea captain with 35 years experience. Change your course ten degrees west."
Without hesitation, the signal flashed back, "I'm a seaman, fourth class. You change your course ten degree east."
The captain, now becoming enraged, realized that the two ships were rapidly approaching one another, and would certainly crash in a few short minutes. So he sent his final warning: "Now you listen hear. I'm a fifty thousand ton freighter. Change your course ten degree west - now!"
A simple message came blinking back: "I'm a light house. Change your course!"
Like the Sea Captain, we may need to change course when confronted with the truth. That's what happens when we make it a priority to spend time reading and applying God's Word. It is eternal truth. It doesn't change. So we need to adjust our likes to walk in that truth.
So many of us spend dour lives avoiding the truth of God's word because we don't want to walk in it. Christ said in John 8:32 that “the truth shall set you free.”, but as Herbert Agar wrote in A Time For Greatness, “The truth that makes men free is for the most part the truth which men prefer not to hear.
Teach me Thy way O Lord, I will walk in Thy Truth. - Psalm 86:11
Therefore, be careful how you walk, not as unwise men, but as wise making the most of your time.
Ephesians 5:15, 16
I used to think that it meant,or I was told it meant, that you were to keep busy, to make the most of the time of every minute of everyday and that never did sit quiet right with me. So I struggled with that and instead of constantly working on 'Church/religious' projects like most I knew did. I would spend time relaxing (sitting out and watching the sunrise over a mist covered lake out in the woods of Ontario for example), spending time with friends and family as well as doing something in the Ministry. The Zealots always made me feel bad about that as if I was squandering my time away, but then I read something about how it means..make the most of time as in stop to cherish the life given you. These things will slip away as time passes, so make the most of your time with those around you. Children grow up and move away, friends take a different path and the connection fades family sometimes drift apart or they simply pass away as they grow old. I'm not saying to shirk off responsibilities but don't let work and professional drive be the only things in life. Life is a gift to be enjoyed. Make the most of it.