Trust the Captain

While on holiday in the Finnish Lake Region, my family and I took a lunch cruise on an old steamship. Our ship had been built in 1905 and used to provide an important means of transportation for the scattered population on the many islands and lakeside villages at a time when the road network was not well developed.

People would travel by ship from one town to another.

The ship also transported goods.

Now some of these ships have been restored and are used as a tourist attraction each summer. We had booked our delicious buffet meal and enjoyed the food as we looked out of the window while the ship sailed through narrow straits and around the islands.

Later we went on deck to enjoy the scenery.

We saw blue water, green forests covering the land, and blue sky with beautiful white clouds. We passed by summer cottages hidden behind the trees and little saunas built at the waterfront. We saw new developments with luxury apartments on the lakeside from which the occupants could literally just step into their motor yachts.

When I looked at the sky, I noticed the sun shining on one side while on the other side, dark clouds covered the horizon. Halfway through our cruise, the ship turned back toward our destination and passed right through a thunderstorm with heavy rainfall.

All passengers came in from the deck to seek shelter inside until the storm was over. We trusted our captain to steer the ship safely.

The ship chugged on despite the rain and thunderclaps, and after a while, it left the dark area behind. When we safely arrived in port, the sun was again shining brightly. Like this ship, we pass through many varied weather patterns in life.

Sometimes the sun shines brightly, and everything is fine.

We enjoy the good and beautiful things we see and experience.

But then dark clouds appear. We must seek shelter from the threatening storms. We must come in from the rain and thunder. We have no control over the elements.

Our only option is to be found where we can be covered and protected by the loving care of our captain, Jesus Christ. He will bring us safely to our destination.

He can still the storms of our lives just as He stilled the storm on the Sea of Galilee. And when we reach our destination—the sky will be lighted with the brightness of the Son of Righteousness!

Hannele Ottschofski