I just finished reading an article from a brother in Christ named Randy Fox. He is a friend of mine with the Columbia Fire Department. He sent me this article after me speaking at the Main Street congregation in Mount Pleasant Wednesday night. I liked it so much I wanted to share it with you.
Lightship Chesapeake
In the fall of 1962, the Lightship Chesapeake and her crew of 16 was struck by the full force of an Atlantic hurricane. Other vessels could run for cover, as the storm rose, but Chesapeake had to stay at her station, marking the approaches to the Chesapeake Bay as she had done since 1933. The 1000-watt lamp at her masthead was a sign for life for other ships, and the safety of others came first.
The storm hit. In a heavy sea, a huge wave broke over Chesapeake’s 20 foot high bow, carried away her foredeck fittings, damaged her steel pilot house and swept both of her life boats away. The ship’s anchor rode 1000 feet of 1 ½ inch thick cast iron chain - snapped and her main 7500-pound mushroom anchor was lost. Badly damaged and drifting from her station, Chesapeake made for the Norfolk Virginia base. The emergency repairs were made and within 24 hours she was back at her station guiding wayward ships to the safety of the Chesapeake Bay.
How can we learn from the Chesapeake and apply this to our Christian life? Well first lets look at the Chesapeake as a source of light. Isaiah 59:9 states “we wait for light”. This is what the wayfaring ships at sea were relying on, the light from the Chesapeake to guide them safely to the harbor. This light is also the light we as Christians must also provide to those of the world, we must shine during the storms of this life Isaiah 60:1 tells us “Arise, shine for thy light is come and the glory of the Lord is risen upon thee.” When we put on Christ in our lives we must shine for him,
John 8:12 which states “ I am the light of the world: He that followeth me shall not walk in darkness but shall have the light of life.” Matt 5:16 “ Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.” This is not only a scripture for us to read but a commandment of Jesus. We are to provide this light to those around about us to lead them safely home and at the same time we are giving praise to our Father. Second is the Chesapeake’s commitment, she knew that staying at sea during the hurricane was her duty and she accepted it. But when the damage was done she left her post. A lot of times Christians are damaged and they never return to their post they get into a rut much like the Chesapeake. The Chesapeake did not let herself stay in the rut she made for the base, had the repairs and went back to work. But we allow ourselves sometime to think only of our own problems; we need to get back to the business Jesus commands us to carry out. If we put him first in our lives He will provide for us. When we get knock down we need to get back up. Next lets look at how long the light was shining from the Chesapeake, for 24 hours she was away from her post. During this time how many wayward ships were searching for the bay? The Chesapeake did return but not like Jesus will. Jesus is coming to gather his own. Jesus tells us in John 13:35 “Yet a little while is the light with you. Walk while ye have the light, lest darkness come upon you.” Jesus extends his call and shines forth his light, but we must use it while it is here, we are not promise the next breath. Does your light shine like the Light Ship Chesapeake? Randy Fox
In the fall of 1962, the Lightship Chesapeake and her crew of 16 was struck by the full force of an Atlantic hurricane. Other vessels could run for cover, as the storm rose, but Chesapeake had to stay at her station, marking the approaches to the Chesapeake Bay as she had done since 1933. The 1000-watt lamp at her masthead was a sign for life for other ships, and the safety of others came first.
The storm hit. In a heavy sea, a huge wave broke over Chesapeake’s 20 foot high bow, carried away her foredeck fittings, damaged her steel pilot house and swept both of her life boats away. The ship’s anchor rode 1000 feet of 1 ½ inch thick cast iron chain - snapped and her main 7500-pound mushroom anchor was lost. Badly damaged and drifting from her station, Chesapeake made for the Norfolk Virginia base. The emergency repairs were made and within 24 hours she was back at her station guiding wayward ships to the safety of the Chesapeake Bay.
How can we learn from the Chesapeake and apply this to our Christian life? Well first lets look at the Chesapeake as a source of light. Isaiah 59:9 states “we wait for light”. This is what the wayfaring ships at sea were relying on, the light from the Chesapeake to guide them safely to the harbor. This light is also the light we as Christians must also provide to those of the world, we must shine during the storms of this life Isaiah 60:1 tells us “Arise, shine for thy light is come and the glory of the Lord is risen upon thee.” When we put on Christ in our lives we must shine for him,
John 8:12 which states “ I am the light of the world: He that followeth me shall not walk in darkness but shall have the light of life.” Matt 5:16 “ Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.” This is not only a scripture for us to read but a commandment of Jesus. We are to provide this light to those around about us to lead them safely home and at the same time we are giving praise to our Father. Second is the Chesapeake’s commitment, she knew that staying at sea during the hurricane was her duty and she accepted it. But when the damage was done she left her post. A lot of times Christians are damaged and they never return to their post they get into a rut much like the Chesapeake. The Chesapeake did not let herself stay in the rut she made for the base, had the repairs and went back to work. But we allow ourselves sometime to think only of our own problems; we need to get back to the business Jesus commands us to carry out. If we put him first in our lives He will provide for us. When we get knock down we need to get back up. Next lets look at how long the light was shining from the Chesapeake, for 24 hours she was away from her post. During this time how many wayward ships were searching for the bay? The Chesapeake did return but not like Jesus will. Jesus is coming to gather his own. Jesus tells us in John 13:35 “Yet a little while is the light with you. Walk while ye have the light, lest darkness come upon you.” Jesus extends his call and shines forth his light, but we must use it while it is here, we are not promise the next breath. Does your light shine like the Light Ship Chesapeake? Randy Fox
