"When You Have No Choice But To Face The Storm Head-On" by John Godfrey

The year was 1968 and I was a young man as you can see by the attached photo. I had finally finished my US Naval "Boot Camp" training way up in the cold Great Lakes region of these United States. After a short time of transition in Charleston South Carolina I finally received my orders to serve aboard the "Charging Charlie R" the quote "Protector of the Seas". The "Tin Can" Destroyer USS Charles R Ware was home based in Jacksonville Florida or Mayport Naval Station to be specific. I arrived late in the evening after "lights out" and I'll never for get the eerie feeling as I crossed the gangway that night to go aboard. This was my new home and a floating one at that! It was the first time I had ever lived in a place with nothing but men (well except for Boot-Camp)and it was definitely the first place I had ever lived that had large cannon like guns, ASROC Missiles, a number of machine guns, and enough large shell ammunition stored on board to blow us all sky high! It was exciting, but no doubt a bit uncomfortable to say the least.

Eventually I  settled into my normal routine and I found that it wasn't too bad being stationed down there in sunny Florida...well until the news came; news that there was a huge storm coming! This was no ordinary storm, it was a hurricane and we were told that we needed to quickly prepare to head out to sea in order to ride the storm out! After hearing this I think my exact words were; "Say What?...Are we crazy?". If you have never seen a Naval Destroyer then you may not realize just how small they are when compared to other ships such as an Aircraft Carrier or a Cruise Liner. Destroyers were given the nic-name "Tin Can" because they bobble up, down, and under the water just like a tin can would! Half the time you actually feel like you're on a submarine! Maybe if you picture your house (as a Destroyer) stretched out beside a 20 story building (the Cuise Ship) then you will get a little idea of the difference in size. So why in the world would we go out and hit a storm of this magnitude head-on instead of staying tied to port where at least it seemed safe? Glad you asked...As I soon found out, here's why.

It's really simple, ships are made for the sea. Am I smart or what? No, that's just the reason for their existence! So their chances of not being destroyed in a large storm are much better when they are sent out on the raging sea. If left.. tied up during the storm the wind and waves will crash the ships into the docks and into any other ships that are left in port. At least at sea there is a very good fighting chance of survival because that is what the ship is made for...sailing! I admit that once we made our way out of port and into deep water the adrenalin began to pump heavily as the storm approached. It was an eye-opening ordeal as we began to be engulfed in its rage and it was definitely a learning and a maturing experience.

As time went on I had the opportunity to man the ship's helm while steering the ship during several storms at sea. It can be frightening as forty foot swells with huge waves on top crash completely over the ships bridge! Or as the ships bow races down like a roller coaster into the bottom of the next wave you feel like she is going to charge straight on down to the bottom of the ocean. However thankfully she always managed to come back up before she hits the next one. Before long the storm will pass and if you keep going you will make it to your destination. This proved true each time we went to another country. Regardless of the storms size or intensity; even though we completely lost power a few times along the way sitting helplessly for a few scary minutes; and even though one time we were actually hit by another ship in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean;...we finally made it to many foreign countries safe and sound.

Christians are like ships. Sometimes we see the storms coming and we want to stay where it seems safe...in our churches...at home...or just quiet! Some of us are willing to face the storms while we leave part of our lines tied to the dock. We want to stay connected to the "safe" areas just in case the storms of "rejection", or "lack of faith", or the "lack of power" are too strong for us to make the trip on our own. We want to have a way back just in case our storm is too much of a force to deal with. We know that we cannot go through the Christian Life without the storms. After all Jesus told us that his followers would face the anger and storms of this world, but somehow we just can't completely let go to face the storms of life head-on. We want to live safe and without fear of being called different or weird! Some also live in disbelief that Christians can even have storms. They believe that all is well once you become a Christian. Unfortunately when the storm hits they are told it is because of their lack of faith. All of these are headed for shipwreck and discouragement too. Sooner or later they will have to face a major life storm head-on too!Its part of living in a fallen world.

I too have tried to sail my ship my way and it has at times almost destroyed my Christian walk and witness. I pray that whatever storms you and I are facing in our lives and in our Christian journey that we will let go and loosen the lines that are keeping us tied us to the dock or to our so-called safe places. A few things that will keep us bound to the dock are finances, health, family, friends, fear of rejection, political correctness, lack of faith, lack of knowledge or direction, the death of a loved one, divorce, guilt, and many more.

You and I know exactly what has us tied down and defeated in our Christian journey, but we were made to let go and go head-on through the storms on our way to the other side. God is in control and He will see us safely home. Besides you will never be thankful for the smooth sailing times unless you have weathered the storms. I pray for much smooth sailing and Gods strength to carry you through your storms.

CHECK OUT THIS LINK FOR HELP WITH YOUR JOURNEY : http://www.oakwoodbc.org/pages/page.asp?page_id=13014