Several of the attendees at the recent Lighthouse event requested the text to the story of three sailors. This reflection was written to explore how participants could receive the promised signs that believers would receive (Mark 16:17-18).
“These signs will accompany those who believe: in my name they will drive out demons, they will speak new languages, They will pick up serpents [with their hands], and if they drink any deadly thing, it will not harm them. They will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover” Mark 16:17-18
Stuart outlined the three essential ingredients he felt important to receiving these promises; Recognising the awesome majesty of God and our weakness, Faith and belief and finally and importantly Moving to action in Love.
A Story of Three Sailors
The first sailor was in his yacht in the harbour. He delighted in the goings on of the port, drinking and feasting, experiencing pleasures of all kinds – he didn’t want to leave the harbour as his life was good. The harbour lights outshone the stars and the harbour wall gave him shelter from the worst of the storms. He also had a good phone signal so could watch the many people dancing on Tik-Tok. In between all the sensual stimulation he occasionally looked up out to sea and could see the bigger life and broad horizons – but why would he go anywhere as he had his fill.
The second sailor was intrigued by the bigger world beyond the harbour and understood a greater good beyond pleasure – his heart desired to serve others. He saw the fixed lights of the stars and was curious about the movement of the winds and the tides of the sea. So he decided to pull up his anchor, turned on his diesel motor and went out to sea in search of the greater life toiling on his own strength. His boat was pushed and pulled by the eddy and flow – but he soldiered on. Where he could he helped other sailors on his way. He told them of the bigger world and of his struggles in the sea. Some of them even followed him to serve others. His strength was running low, he tired of being tossed around by the storms and was beset by worry of the rocks and tides and decided that he should head into the safety of the harbour. Here his journey ended.
The third sailor, like the second saw the bigger world and a greater good beyond pleasure, his heart burned with love to serve others. He pulled up his anchor and left the distractions of the harbour. When a little out to sea, in his wisdom, he could hear the movement of the wind, he could see the lights of the stars and feel the changing tide and currents. He recognised his many weaknesses and the greatness of God and prayed the Breton Fisherman’s prayer, “Dear God be good to me: the sea is so wide and my boat is so small”. He was then inspired, and he turned off his motor, recognising that there was a better way. He unfurled his sails to catch the wind, faithfully trusting that the wind would take him to where he was meant to be. He used the fixed lights of the stars to guide him and he could feel the changing eddies of the tide and currents under his feet. In this way he found that he was guided by God, the sea gave him food and the rain drinking water and in the silence of the night he gazed at the stars and he felt ever closer to God and for this with joy, he gave thanks. His journey was fruitful and he was guided to serve other sailors with love and he told them of the goodness of our Lord, how He provided for him. They were inspired by him, they saw God’s wonders being undertaken through him and they learned his ways from him and in faith and trust they went and served others reaching all the harbours of the sea. This man was very fruitful for God.
A Further Reflection:
Paul says when we’re weak, God’s power is strong. Let’s look at: 2 Corinthians 12:9-10:
“My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. 10 That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.
The third sailor acted in Love – Lets look at a writing by St Therese of the Child Jesus (of Lisieux). She was reading 1 Corinthians 12-13 and wrote this:
I persevered in the reading and did not let my mind wander until I found this encouraging theme: Set your desires on the greater gifts. And I will show you the way which surpasses all others. For the Apostle insists that the greater gifts are nothing at all without love and that this same love is surely the best path leading directly to God. At length I had found peace of mind.
The greatest gifts are nothing without Love – and this is the best path leading to God and a place where God’s power is made manifest and will be shared with us.