"Outward Bound Again"

“Argggg!” is the pirate’s growl as he shouts “Ahoy, Matey!” I know, you are now thinking I have really been cooped up too long. I must admit I am very much ready to be released from the doctor to a more “normal” lifestyle. Hopefully that will take place next week when I go for my final post-op appointment. In the mean time, I came across a reference while reading a book titled God of Kings, by Davis Bunn. The plot line is really not important. It’s just an adventure story of treasure hunters looking for the lost gold of the Second Jewish Temple. It’s not a bestseller, but somewhat entertaining and fairly accurate historically. In one section the main character boards a ferry and reminisces of his time at sea hunting for various treasures. Here’s the quote from this section:

Their ferry was an ancient vessel whose ulcerous wounds wept rust. He watched as they passed the harbor’s encircling arms and said, “Outward bound again. That’s what skippers of the old sailing vessels used to write in their log books when they left safe harbor and entered the deep. Outward bound.”

The old sailing vessels, treasure chests of gold, and pirates on the high seas surely have nothing to do with spiritual things. Or, do they? Think about it for a moment. Those sailors had great courage and faith in their captain. There was no technology to guide them through uncharted or unfamiliar seas. Any number of calamities could end in their death. They knew their lives were completely in the hands of the captain. And isn’t that the essence of our relationship with Christ?

Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see. And what more shall I say? I do not have time to tell about Gideon, Barak, Samson and Jephthah, about David and Samuel and the prophets, who through faith conquered kingdoms, administered justice, and gained what was promised; who shut the mouths of lions, quenched the fury of the flames, and escaped the edge of the sword; whose weakness was turned to strength; and who became powerful in battle and routed foreign armies. Women received back their dead, raised to life again. There were others who were tortured, refusing to be released so that they might gain an even better resurrection. Some faced jeers and flogging, and even chains and imprisonment. They were put to death by stoning; they were sawed in two; they were killed by the sword. They went about in sheepskins and goatskins, destitute, persecuted and mistreated— the world was not worthy of them. They wandered in deserts and mountains, living in caves and in holes in the ground. These were all commended for their faith, yet none of them received what had been promised, since God had planned something better for us so that only together with us would they be made perfect. (Hebrews 11:1; 32-40 NIV)

It is often the tragic truth that we do not venture into the deep. We remain in the safety of our “harbor.” God’s call is to the deep! John Shedd said it well, “A ship in harbor is safe, but that is not what ships are for.” Exercise your faith. You will not be disappointed! Get on board we are Outward Bound!