COURAGE LIKE THE CAPTAIN’S
J.D. Ketterman, LCDR, USN (RET)
Today’s Scripture: “For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.” 2 Timothy 1:7, ESV
Theme: The courage to face hard things, including sharing your faith, comes from a close walk with Jesus.
THE STORY
In the movie Greyhound, the Captain begins the day with a prayer, openly before each meal and during the breaks in the action, and he ended with a prayer after the turnover of duties before hitting his rack. The Captain knew this day was going to be 72 hours long and he would have no rest. We are given to believe that in his silent supplication, he praised God our Lord, beseeched His guidance, and appealed for God’s strength in his need for courage. The Captain trusted in the reassurance that “I came to you in weakness with great fear and trembling” (1 Corinthians 2.3, ESV).
THE GOOD SHEPHERD
The Captain is the head, the ship his body, and the crew becomes his senses and muscle. With open displays of his faith, he leads his ship and crew. But his command went beyond the bridge of his ship. He is also tasked with directing three other escorts and the rescue tug (the ship tasked with towing damaged ships and picking up survivors). This screen of destroyers and tug were to protect the troop and supply convoy. There were losses, stress, insufficiency, vulnerabilities, moments of powerlessness, numerous adversaries, and a taunting enemy. Everyone in this convoy needed his leadership and encouragement.
The Captain, as The Good Shepherd (the book by C.S. Forester, on which the movie is based), through his training, intelligence, experience, but most of all his reliance on his faith, guided them all. He was the light that the entire convoy looked to for leadership.
Make It Personal: As followers, we are tasked by Jesus to be the that steadfast light. Through terror, torment, loss, confusion, challenges, and darkness, we must hold faith. We know the sun will rise again. We have His promise that He will always be with us.
Pray: Father God, strengthen and sustain my faith in You to be that light which others turn to in darkness. Help me to be one who is not quick to anger, but the encourager and source of strength when others are faced with dismay and frenzy. Let me find solace in the words of your Son, our good Shepherd, so that I exemplify His example. It is in His Name I pray. Amen
Read: John 10:11; Deuteronomy 31:6; Isaiah 41:10; 1 Corinthians 2:3-5
Weekly Memory Verse: “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.” Hebrews 13:8, ESV