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Reading
James 3:4
Or look at ships: though they are so large that it takes strong winds to drive them, yet they are guided by a very small rudder wherever the will of the pilot directs.
Devotion
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| Image courtesy of Chaplain O'Flanagan, USS IWO JIMA |
Today's images come courtesy of a Navy Chaplain friend and colleague. The command chaplain of USS IWO JIMA he was charged during refit to come up with new images for the ship's chapel. Besides the obvious picture of the flag raising, he asked me to contribute ideas. Since a ship's primary reason for existence is to be away from home port, I pondered maritime charts and the stars. Since this ship's primary mission involves Marines, I thought about Marines and Sailors at prayer. You can see above what his artist's came up with. I'm so impressed! Much better than I imagined!
A Sailor at the ship's wheel with the image of a compass over the wind and waves reminded me of the passage from James. The wheel moves the rudder which will direct the course. What is your course this week, dear reader? Are you proceeding by dead reckoning or are you consulting a chart, some navigational aids, or spiritual resources? On a ship a Pilot is someone who is charged with intimate knowledge of the waters and winds particularly around a harbor and who is most skilled at helping safely navigate shoals and currents unfamiliar to most mariners. If you are in the middle of something this week, some transition in particular, take a few moments to consult with your heavenly Pilot, as the Marine and Sailor are doing, get your bearings, and then go forth bravely.
God speed and open water!
Prayer
Almighty and eternal God, so draw our hearts to you, so guide our minds, so fill our imaginations, so control our wills, that we may be wholly yours, utterly dedicated unto you; and then use us, we pray you, as you will, and always to your glory and the welfare of your people; through our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Amen (Book of Common Prayer, Prayer of Self-Dedication)