PILOT!

Last month my father and I took a cruise to Alaska. Spectacular!  (Rest assured, you’ll see more of that trip in the aBeLOG.)

Glacier Bay in southeastern Alaska was one of the visual treats of this trip. The Bay has numerous inlets and lagoons and channels and islands, and is a popular cruise ship destination, especially in the summer, when folks like us attempt to escape, albeit briefly, the torrid temperatures of ye olde city called Dallas (101° yesterday).

The National Park Service, however, places restrictions on visiting vessels to Glacier Bay (which is part of the Glacier Bay National Park): only 2 cruise ships, 3 tour boats, 6 charter vessels, and 25 private boats can enter the Bay each day. Even then, in 2009, about 450,000 tourists visited Glacier Bay, 420,000 of them being cruise ship passengers.

Among the restrictions of Alaska waters is the requirement of a maritime pilot—one who guides ships through harbors and river mouths and bay inlets that are congested and/or dangerous.

Jesus, Savior, pilot me
Over life’s tempestuous sea;
Unknown waves before me roll,
Hiding rock and treacherous shoal.
Chart and compass come from Thee;
Jesus, Savior, pilot me.

For You are my rock and my fortress;

For Your name's sake

You will lead me and guide me.

Psalm 31:3

We had one come on board our ship as we entered Glacier Bay. The expert, navigating dangerous seas for us, to keep us safe.

As a mother stills her child,
Thou canst hush the ocean wild;
Boisterous waves obey Thy will,
When Thou sayest to them, “Be still!”
Wondrous Sovereign of the sea,
Jesus, Savior, pilot me.

With Your counsel You will guide me,

And afterward receive me to glory.

Psalm 73:24

Yes, we might often feel we can handle it all. We might feel we are experienced captains in full control. We couldn’t be further from the truth: we need God.

Though the sea be smooth and bright,
Sparkling with the stars of night,
And my ship’s path be ablaze
With the light of halcyon days,
Still I know my need of Thee;
Jesus, Savior, pilot me.

For such is God,

Our God forever and ever;

He will guide us until death.

Psalm 48:14

  

Life’s journey is long. Life’s journey is messy. Life’s journey is treacherous. Through it all, God’s presence through his Spirit, and the Word given to us, guide us.

But when He, the Spirit of truth, comes,

He will guide you into all the truth.

John 16:13

And for those who have trusted in God’s Son as their only God and Savior, a passage to God’s presence is assured at death. For Jesus Christ paid the price of our sins.

When at last I near the shore,
And the fearful breakers roar
’Twixt me and the peaceful rest,
Then, while leaning on Thy breast,
May I hear Thee say to me,
“Fear not, I will pilot thee.”

Edward Hopper, 1871

… the Sunrise from on high will visit us,

To shine upon those who sit in darkness

And the shadow of death,

To guide our feet into the way of peace.

Luke 1:78—79

And then at last, we’ll be at home!

"They will hunger no longer,

nor thirst anymore;

nor will the sun beat down on them,

nor any heat;

For Lamb in the center of the throne

will be their shepherd,

and will guide them

to springs of the water of life;

and God will wipe

every tear from their eyes."

Revelation 7:16—17

Amen (especially to that part about sun and heat)!