Saturday, July 21, 2001
Saturday, July 21, 2001
Think over what I say, for the Lord will give you understanding in all things.
When Eliazar arrived for training, the instructors, who had long since heard of his amazing sailing
prowess, asked him how he was able to navigate the vast distances of such lengthy voyages
without losing his way. Eliazar said, "I go up on deck at night, and I look at the stars, and I listen
to the wind in the riggings, and I check the drift of the seas, and then I set my course." After
completing his course in the science of navigation, Eliazar returned home and resumed his
maritime vocation.
Sometime later the instructors visited Eliazar and once again asked how he navigated his great
ship. "Exactly like you taught me," he responded to everyone's surprise, "I use the sextant to
shoot the angle of the sun at midday. After fixing my longitude and latitude on the charts, I get
out my compass and other instruments to plot my course. And then," he continued, "I go up on
deck at night and I look at the stars and I listen to the wind in the riggings, and I check the drift of
the seas...and go back down to correct my calculations."
God gave us brains. He meant for us to use them. Do you have questions about the things of
God? Is the Christian Gospel true? Test it in the laboratory of your own life. Does it work to
believe that your body is the temple of the Living God and to take care of it? Does it pay to be
faithful to your wife and to love and honor both your children and your parents? Does it pay in
society to say, "Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not kill?" Does it help to pray for those who are
sick and to believe that we can trust God for our lives and the lives of those we love? Can you
think of a better alternative? Do you know of a better way to live than to love your neighbor as
yourself? Is it true? What do you THINK? Trust your experiences and your ability to reason in
concert with God's holy word.
(2 Timothy 2:7
NRSV)
Gene Ruyle in his book, MAKING A LIFE, tells a story about Eliazar Hull, the captain of a
whaling ship, who sailed from the ports of New England in the early 1800s. Eliazar was able to
sail out farther, stay out longer, and, in that way, come back with a larger catch than anyone else.
The owners of the fleet, seeking to insure their ships against damage or loss at sea, asked that all
ship captains be schooled in the latest navigational techniques of the day.
Dear God, show me the way to use my reasoning ability to faithfully follow in your way of love.
Amen.
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