Wednesday, October 26, 2011

Reflections on Cruising: Part 1

The ocean is vast.

When sailing in the middle of the Gulf of Mexico, one really begins to get a perspective on how gigantic our world really and truly is--and how truly small and insignificant we as humans really are.

Oh, we like to think we are either God's gift or a curse on the world.

We like to think we can save the world.

We like to think we can destroy it.

But in the grand scheme of things, we'll probably make as much of a dent in the annals of history as placing our finger in a bucket of water and seeing what kind of difference it makes in the bucket.

When gazing upon the horizon and seeing just how small one is, one can begin to see how some of the early pioneers in the U.S. went crazy when they first were exposed to the vastness of the plains states.  Sometimes, it's hard to find yourself in the middle of something so big.

But it's also very liberating.  Sometimes, we need to realize our place.  Sometimes we need to realize there are things greater and larger than we.  Sometimes we need to get a perspective that the world doesn't revolve around us, or around our jobs, or around the latest movement generated by disgruntled groups.  Sometimes we need to get a perspective that many of our fears and worries and concerns are smaller than they really are.  Sometimes we need to get a perspective that the wind still blows, waves still churn, the sun still rises and sets, and it will continue to do so long after you and I are gone.

And it's O.K.

For those of us who are people of faith, it is more than O.K.  It's the way it's supposed to be.

We're here for just a little while.  We have our spheres of influence.  God has called us to work within them.  For most of us, that sphere isn't really that big at all.  For others, it might be a little bigger.  Enjoy working within that sphere.  God will expand it when necessary.  But don't forget: He and this world are a lot bigger than you. 

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