Safe behind an island called "Destruction"

Sailors fatigue drove us to look for shelter from the wind and waves we'd been battling on that summer day in 1983. We were sailing our 34 ft Trimaran ... north to the San Juan Islands. A few days before we'd left our mooring in Westport, Oregon. A mooring in which we'd lived for 2 years with our family on board our sailboat. Our charts of the Pacific told us just ahead there was an island that would afford us needed rest and protection from the wind and buffeting seas. But I didn't like the sounds of the name of the “shelter” ... Destruction Island? Back then we didn’t have the Internet where I could just ‘click’ up an explanation so I was left wondering why this ‘shelter’ had such a name. Did we really want to anchor behind an island called “Destruction?”

Soon I was so tired I could care less what its name was ... I just wanted to sleep! We sailed in behind the island and Gary dropped anchor. We would take turns through the night keeping “watch” while the other slept. He told me to take a fix on the "light" on the island with the hand held compass and if we drifted to let him know. We did not want to end on... the rocks. As I set in the cock pit I often imagined the waves on the rocks sounded closer. But I would point my compass on the light ... sure enough it never moved.

I learned that night to trust my “instruments” not my 'feelings' or vain imaginations. That compass when fixed on the lighthouse on the Island always confirmed our boat was right where it should be. 

Likewise God has given me instruments to navigate the sometimes turbulent seas of my life. Trusting them and not my frail "feelings" is imperative.

The first is talking and listening to Him in prayer. 
Another is reading, memorizing and meditating on His words in the bible. 
Also vastly important is trusting what His word says … and proving it by applying its truth to my life. As I do I am led by the quiet inner voice of the Holy Spirit in my heart in the direction God wants me to go.

Sometimes in the business of my life it “feels” like I have drifted and my anchor “seems” not to be holding. So like that night at sea I take a fix with my “compass” on the word and hear it say … “Behold I will never leave you nor forsake you!”

Maybe presently you are caught in a current which seems to be pulling you away from the Light. God may be directing you to purpose to take a fix with your inner compass on Jesus the “Light” of the world. Drop your anchor and trust your instruments. Together let's put our trust in Him Who will never let us down. He will keep us from drifting into the "rocks of life." 

A favorite song of mine …

THE LIGHTHOUSE

THERE'S A LIGHTHOUSE ON THE HILLSIDE
THAT OVER LOOKS LIFE'S SEA.
WHEN I'M TOSSED IT SENDS OUT A LIGHT,
THAT I MIGHT SEE.
AND THE LIGHT THAT SHINES IN DARKNESS NOW
WILL SAFELY LEAD ME ON.
IF IT WASN'T FOR THE LIGHTHOUSE,
MY SHIP WOULD SAIL NO MORE.
EVERYBODY THAT LIVES AROUND US,
SAYS TEAR THAT LIGHTHOUSE DOWN.
THE BIG SHIPS THEY DON'T SAIL THIS WAY ANYMORE,
THERE'S NO NEED OF IT STANDING ROUND.
BUT THEN MY MIND GOES BACK TO THAT
STORMY NIGHT, WHEN JUST IN TIME I SAW THE LIGHT,
OH THE LIGHT FROM THAT OLD LIGHTHOUSE
THAT STANDS UP THERE ON THE HILL.
AND I THANK GOD FOR THE LIGHTHOUSE,
I OWE MY LIFE TO HIM
FOR JESUS IS THE LIGHTHOUSE,
AND FROM THE ROCKS OF SIN;
HE HAS SHONE A LIGHT AROUND ME
THAT I COULD CLEARLY SEE
AND IF IT WASN'T FOR THE LIGHTHOUSE,
WHERE WOULD THIS SHIP BE?
AND IF WASN'T FOR THE LIGHTHOUSE,
WHERE WOULD THIS SHIP BE?

Written by Ronnie Hinson Copyright 1971