Category: At Sea

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Finding A Stormy New Perspective as I Enter 2022

The last time we were at our favorite beach spot, was in 2019. We arrived just before the tropical storm off the coast released a deluge of wind and rain. The ocean was not the friendly face of years past, but a raging tempest of angry, surging surf. We stood on our nineteenth-floor balcony awed by the power unleashed before us. The waters crashed and frothed, covering every bit of beach, and threatening the edges of the building below. This storm was more than 200 miles out at sea!

I’ve been thinking a lot about that experience since writing my last post. I must confess, I was being taught even as I wrote. I kept trying to make it about the battle to stay with my stuff on the beach and the LORD kept pushing me away. It was a struggle to turn my eyes away from the place I was “supposed” to be so I could see His message for me (and you).

Which brings me to what I want to share today. I love being in the ocean; swimming, floating, playing. But when the storms are raging, I prefer to watch from the balcony.

The storm I described earlier was what is called a Red Flag Day in Panama City Beach. A red flag means to stay out of the water; it doesn’t even allow wading. We are to stay completely out of the water!

We had to stay out of the water for two days!

But in the context of Jesus being the Living Water, I’m called to relax into Him and where He wants to take me. I’m called to enter the stormy waters and not just the gently lapping waters of a typical Gulf beach day.

Picture taken by George from our balcony the morning after the storm – July 2019 – Panama City Beach, Florida

Please don’t take this literally and go jumping into the ocean during a tropical storm! This is about living life out in the deep with Jesus as our security. Being confident in Him. Trusting Him when what He asks of us goes against our feelings, our wants, our culture, and sometimes even friends and family.

Speaking of, there is a word of caution here too…

We were all created to be IN Christ Jesus, but we were NOT all created to do the same good works in Him. Following Jesus doesn’t look exactly the same. We are NEVER called to do anything contrary to God’s written word, but our lives are meant to be lived as uniquely as we are created.

LORD, I want to relax into You as You lead me. Give me a desire to go wherever You want me to go. Teach me to let go of the familiar and cling to You alone. Give me confidence in You. Teach me to trust Your plan is good and perfect even when it creates struggle for me. Protect me from fear. Create in me a willingness to encourage others to choose You and live for You. Do not let me foster a critical spirit; I do not want to grieve or quench Your Holy Spirit in me. I love You. May my thoughts, words, and deeds bring You all the glory, honor, and praise You are due! Amen.

For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago. Ephesians 2:10 NLT

Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, a Division of Tyndale House Ministries, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

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Fog Horns

George was sent to Brunswick, Maine for several months back in 2005 while the USS Bainbridge was under construction at Bath Iron Works. I went up for a visit and we explored some of the area together.

One place we went was Fort Williams Park in Cape Elizabeth. Portland Head Light sits nearby the old fort and is a fully automated light station equipped with a foghorn.

Front view of Portland Head Light taken by George

The Portland Head Light Station uses an air-chime diaphragm horn. It only sounds when a vessel is in the channel. A laser beam is shot out to sea; if it bounces back, the horn will begin to sound continuously. The horn at Portland Head blows a four second warning, every twenty seconds, when vessels are present during foggy conditions. The interval and duration of each light’s fog horn sound is different, which is another way for sailors to identify where they are.

Fog limits visibility; it also muffles sound. Limited visibility can cause disorientation, panic, and danger. Muffled sound makes us unaware of our proximity to danger. When fog prevents visibility, the intermittent sound of a fog horn helps vessels navigate safely through the channel.

Something I find interesting about fog horns is they don’t just blast out any loud noise. The horns must emit a specific frequency for clarity and distance in foggy conditions.

All this has me thinking about the importance of both light and sound for safe navigation on the waters and in life.

Letting my light shine may not be enough. I may need to speak truth to those around me. In fact, Christ followers have been commissioned to do just that.

Jesus said, “Go into all the world and preach the Good News to everyone.” Mark 16:15 (NLT)

I can’t just be a blast of noise. Not all words penetrate the fog of circumstances that limit visibility and muffle the ears of our hearts. I must use the right frequency when speaking truth to others. I must speak in the frequency of God’s love.

“Do not use harmful words, but only helpful words, the kind that build up and provide what is needed, so that what you say will do good to those who hear you.” Ephesians 4:29 (GNT)

I’m also reminded to surround myself with those who will do the same for me. I want to hear words of truth spoken with love during times of difficult circumstances; times when I’m unaware of my proximity to danger.

Side view of Portland Head Light taken by George

How about you? Has someone spoken a timely word into your life and helped you avoid unseen danger? If so, why not tell them? Who knows how timely your word of thanks will be for them?

Fun Facts: Portland Head Light is the oldest lighthouse in Maine, was commissioned by President George Washington when Maine was still part of the colony of Massachusetts, and was the first lighthouse to be built by the United States Government. It was dedicated by the Marquis de Lafayette and was the inspiration for Henry Wadsworth Longfellow’s poem “The Lighthouse.”

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Storms!

Jonah 1:12b (CJB) “I know it’s my fault that this terrible storm has come over you.”

Jonah didn’t want to obey God, so he got on a ship going in the opposite direction. What did God do? He sent a storm so violent it threatened to tear the ship to pieces.

USS Simpson FFG 56 taken from deck of USS Bainbridge DDG 96 by George

Dangerous and stormy waters are one of several reasons sailors need lighthouses. But reading Jonah chapter 1, had me thinking less about lighthouses and more about how our choices bring storms “over” others.

I grew up hearing the quote, “No man is an island unto himself.” But it’s easy to forget that, isn’t it? It’s easy to think our choices don’t really affect others.

It’s easy to dismiss the slight bump we make against others and the subsequent movement in their lives. We don’t even consider the choppy waters we’re creating. We’re oblivious to our decision’s impact on them. We’re like Jonah, sleeping below decks and blissfully unaware.

Meanwhile, their lives have been turned broadside to the waves. The possibility of capsizing increased exponentially. Lives in danger of being torn apart.

Taken by George while standing on deck of USS Bainbridge DDG 96 during a storm at sea

Jonah confessed and was thrown overboard. The seas calmed immediately and the sailors were “seized with great fear of Adonai, they offered a sacrifice to Adonai and made vows.” (v 16)

The sailors experienced the sovereign, all-seeing might of God that day. They understood more of who He is. Oh! Jonah didn’t die, just in case you’ve never heard his story.

The book of Jonah is a great read; one I find easy to relate to. His book is about rebellion, repentance, obedience, and even petulance over God being as gracious with others as He is with us.

Why is it we want God to forgive us our sins and punish others for theirs? That’s a question for next week!

Today, I’m asking myself how my choices are influencing the lives around me. Am I ignoring the impact of my influence because I want my own way?

How about you? Have you found yourself in a storm of another’s making? How did it reveal something new about God to you? How has it changed your life going forward? Has it caused you to consider others before making your decisions?

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