Awhile back, a former pastor of ours came to our home to discuss his concerns about Joan and me leaving the institutional church. When I told him that I didn't think it was too much to expect Father to lead us on the path He's chosen for us, our pastor friend told me that he thought I'd gone a little overboard.
I really respect Lin and have spent several months in careful consideration and I think he's probably right.
Several years ago, seeking to be closer to the ocean, my wife and I boarded a great ocean liner. The ship was beautiful and had all the luxurious amenities that anyone could wish for... on-board activities every day... fine dining... top name entertainment... you name it, the ship had it and more.
For the first few years we were very excited about being on board the ship and enjoying all the entertainments the ship had to offer. We worked our way up the ship's social ladder until we became frequent guests at the captain's table and knew all of the ship's officers on a first name basis... but the glamor of the great ship was beginning to fade. Oftentimes, I would stand alone on deck, staring at the water and wishing that I were closer to it, instead of all protected up here on the ship's deck, high above the water-line. When the ship was close to shore I would watch the small sailboats with their decks so near the water and their passengers and crew so busy about the deck, keeping the sails trimmed and the course steady. I could sometimes hear them laughing aloud as the ocean sprayed them in the face, cooling them on a hot day. How I longed for the freedom they had on those small craft... how I yearned to be so close that I could feel the ocean on my face like that!
After years of this longing, my wife and I were standing on deck one day, discussing a new course which the captain had set, when along came a rickety little sailboat. As we watched it draw near, we saw that some of our friends were on board! We waved frantically to them and they shouted for us to wait until they got close and then jump! With great excitement, my wife and I left everything we had and, with only the clothes on our backs, we jumped overboard to join our friends on their adventure.
Initially, being on the small vessel was exciting and even a little frightening, but our shipmates knew what to do and they quickly showed us the ropes. We loved being out on the open sea with the wind in our hair and the sun on our faces. We soon learned what it means to batten down the hatches, and that a shroud has more than one meaning and that a cunningham is not just a last name. I was finally near the ocean. I could see it up close... I could feel it and even taste it!
There was one thing that disturbed me though, sometimes in our travels we would come across people in the water and they did not want to be rescued, they seemed to like it there and in fact seemed to thrive. They would tell us that water was fine and we could jump in with them. It struck me as pure madness! How could one live at the mercy of the ocean without a captain to set the course and with no boat? Not even a simple row boat!!!
Then one day we encountered a storm and our rickety little boat was dashed to pieces. We were swept overboard and out in to the stormy sea. I have never been more frightened. I thought we would surely drown! I was pulled under several times, I had no breath left in me and was not going to make it but a crew mate, who knew a little about swimming, pulled me up and I could breath again. I was floating without a life jacket. The storm passed and the sun came out. Against all odds we had survived! My wife and I were alive and drifting at the mercy of the ocean's currents.
The two of us stuck together like glue and floated along wherever the ocean would take us. The water was warm and we found that we actually enjoyed floating along together. From time to time we would encounter other floaters and we learned to take courage from the many stories of their adventures. We would laugh together and talk about how much fun it was to see where the ocean would take us next. Often, boats will draw near and offer to rescue us, telling us of the dangers of the open sea and warning us that we could drown if we don't come aboard. We usually laugh and thank them for their concern, but we'd rather stay in the water!
You see, we've noticed that, no matter the size of the vessel, when you're aboard ship, your concern is about the ship and not really about the ocean. Those enjoying the safety of the deck can never know the excitement of feeling the waves roll around them or the freedom of going where the currents take them. They cannot understand the thrill of meeting another person who is also in the water and sharing tales of the sea. Those aboard ship worry about whether the captain has set the right course for them... they spend hours painting the ship and polishing the brass so that others will see what a beautiful ship they are on. They worry about the seating arrangements in the dining room and how often they sit at the captain's table. When you're in the water, you share what the ocean provides with whoever the current brings your way and you share your love for the ocean.
So yes, Lin, I've gone overboard... I rather like it here!
.JPG)