“. . . full speed ahead . . . !”
So, here we are again, COVID 2, I suppose you could call it that. Or maybe COVID 3 or 4 . . . forgive me if I seem to have lost track. Interestingly, we now seem less interested in where this mysterious virus originated than in when this mysterious virus will behave itself and go back to wherever it originated! Honestly, I am tired of COVID “number” whatever!
That being said, it is what it is! So, now what?
There are three famous sayings that stand out in U.S. naval history. “I have not yet begun to fight” by John Paul Jones; “Don’t give up the ship” on the flag of Oliver Hazard Perry’s ship, originally spoken by Capt. James Lawrence on board the frigate Chesapeake on June 1, 1813; and “Damn (pardon the French) the torpedos, full speed ahead” by East Tennessee native David Glasgow Farragut in the Battle of Mobile Bay.
In the face of opposition and/or disappointments and/or challenges each of us have a choice: we can choose to live in fear, or we can choose to live with wisdom and courage. Wisdom and courage are sometimes seen as opposites, but that is not always the case. David Glasgow’s “. . . full speed ahead . . .” was not a foolhardy statement but rather a declaration of faith in the ability and courage of the men with whom he served, the weapons at his disposal, and the value of the cause for which they were fighting!
Well, you may be asking yourself, “What does all of this have to do with where we are today?”
I would suggest that we declare that it is “. . . full speed ahead . . .” as we engage in the mission of God with courage and wisdom. Wisdom will guard us from foolishness and courage will enable us to press on! In Matthew 10:16 Jesus said, “Behold, I send you our as sheep in the midst of wolves; so be shrewd as serpents and innocent as doves.” So, Jesus intentionally – on purpose - sends us into a dangerous world but also gives to us the wisdom so as to avoid the unnecessary extremes so prevalent in our world.
“. . . full speed ahead . . . !” Count me in . . . how about you?
On the journey . . . .
Pastor J K
So, here we are again, COVID 2, I suppose you could call it that. Or maybe COVID 3 or 4 . . . forgive me if I seem to have lost track. Interestingly, we now seem less interested in where this mysterious virus originated than in when this mysterious virus will behave itself and go back to wherever it originated! Honestly, I am tired of COVID “number” whatever!
That being said, it is what it is! So, now what?
There are three famous sayings that stand out in U.S. naval history. “I have not yet begun to fight” by John Paul Jones; “Don’t give up the ship” on the flag of Oliver Hazard Perry’s ship, originally spoken by Capt. James Lawrence on board the frigate Chesapeake on June 1, 1813; and “Damn (pardon the French) the torpedos, full speed ahead” by East Tennessee native David Glasgow Farragut in the Battle of Mobile Bay.
In the face of opposition and/or disappointments and/or challenges each of us have a choice: we can choose to live in fear, or we can choose to live with wisdom and courage. Wisdom and courage are sometimes seen as opposites, but that is not always the case. David Glasgow’s “. . . full speed ahead . . .” was not a foolhardy statement but rather a declaration of faith in the ability and courage of the men with whom he served, the weapons at his disposal, and the value of the cause for which they were fighting!
Well, you may be asking yourself, “What does all of this have to do with where we are today?”
I would suggest that we declare that it is “. . . full speed ahead . . .” as we engage in the mission of God with courage and wisdom. Wisdom will guard us from foolishness and courage will enable us to press on! In Matthew 10:16 Jesus said, “Behold, I send you our as sheep in the midst of wolves; so be shrewd as serpents and innocent as doves.” So, Jesus intentionally – on purpose - sends us into a dangerous world but also gives to us the wisdom so as to avoid the unnecessary extremes so prevalent in our world.
“. . . full speed ahead . . . !” Count me in . . . how about you?
On the journey . . . .
Pastor J K
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