. . . in January of 1991, I was in the Navy and had been for about three years. Life in the military held lots of challenges for a young couple just starting out, and long periods of family separation were among the worst of them. For example, in 1993 when our oldest was just a few weeks old, my ship deployed to Cuba for over a month. Shortly after returning, we were deployed to the mediterranean Sea for six months. In 1994, when the opportunity came about to accept a two-year shore duty rotation, we pounced on it. So anchors aweigh . . . we packed up the seabag (and a pickup truck, and a 24-foot U-Haul) and headed out to South Georgia for a new life in the world of recruiting! As a recruiter, I spent most of my time at work searching for qualified applicants and trying to convince them how joining the Navy would help them achieve their goals in life. I didn't have any problem finding people who were interested in travel, adventure, education, or a secure job . . . but most people still did not want to enlist. By a wide margin, the most popular reason that people would give for not wanting to join was "I can't swim." That sounds like a valid reason, doesn't it? I mean, if you're planning on spending a lot of time out on the open sea, it would stand to reason that you'd need to be a good swimmer, right? Wrong! Here's why . . . Let's suppose you're out to sea and your ship is sinking. Where are you going to swim to? Your ship could literally be a thousand miles from land. Even if you're a good swimmer, are you going to be able to swim a thousand miles? How about a hundred miles? Most average swimmers would have trouble swimming more than two or three hundred yards in a swimming pool with no waves (or sharks). The fact is, if your ship is sinking, being a good swimmer won't help; you need to get into the lifeboat! Sadly, this is where we all are today. We're on a sinking ship with no hope of ever making it to shore on our own. God's word tells us this life is only a vapor that appears for a moment, then it's gone. (James 4:14) This ship is going down . . . and sooner than most of us would like to admit. The good news is that we are not without hope. God has provided the perfect lifeboat . . . His own Son, Jesus Christ! Romans 3:23 tells us that ". . . all have sinned and come short of the glory of God;" None of us can be good enough on our own; we have all broken God's law. Just like the sinking ship on its way to the ocean floor; if you haven't turned to Jesus Christ then you are on your way to everlasting punishment and separation from God. You can't be a good enough swimmer to make it to shore, nor can you be a good enough person to make it to heaven. John 3:16 says, "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." God loved you so much that he sent his own son to pay the penalty for your sins and by believing in him you can receive everlasting life. Much like a lifeboat, you must believe that it can save you before you will ever convince yourself to get in it. 1 John 1:9 "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." Romans 10:9-10 "That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation." He is ready and willing to forgive you no matter who you are or what you have done. You can't just believe the lifeboat can save you, you have to get in. How? Repent and turn from your sins. Confess Jesus Christ as Lord and believe in your heart. Call on him today and trust him to carry you safely to the other side.
"For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved." Romans 10:13
A special 'Thank You!' to all who have served our country. We are truly thankful for your service and sacrifice!