Religion: A Pastor Ponders

Pioneers

by Pastor William Jenkins

Submitted for July 8, 2005

Reading Psalm 107:23-32 I was reminded that the Jews were not a seafaring people. They dreaded any body of water where they could not see the opposite shore. To them the sea was as much a menace as a mystery. So great was their dread of the sea that when the Apostle John described Heaven he inserted this curious phrase, “And there was no more sea.” (Revelations 21:1)

Nevertheless, there were those adventurous souls who overcame their fears and dared to do what they dreaded. While the man who ventured upon the sea took great risks, he also had great opportunities. If he faced dangers that others did not face, he had the thrill of great experiences in which others could not share. He acquired an expansive view that was not available to those who never lost sight of the shore.

“They go down to the sea in ships, and do business in great waters…” While they lived dangerously, they also lived gloriously because, “These see the works of the Lord, and His wonders in the deep.” The Psalmist has hit upon a great truth. He has understood that to live grandly we must dare grandly. To venture nothing is to gain nothing. What was true of the land-hugging Jew is true for us as well: You can never discover new horizons unless you are willing to loose sight of the shore.

It is a fearful thing to let go of the familiar, to walk outside our comfort zone and risk something new. Quite often our fear of failure dominates our desire for success and we remain “on the shore”. Still, the instinct remains to throw caution to the wind and climb into the boat. Some may protest, “What if we don’t make it?” The response to that must always be, “What if we do?” Just something to ponder.

Posted on July 13, 2005

Correction posted on July 23, 2005

Sorry, a mixed column posting which included parts of two columns occurred on July 13, 2005. Your webmaster apologizes.

League City United Methodist Church is located at 1411 Main Street (FM 518), one block east of Interstate 45. For information, call the church offices at 281-332-1557 or visit the website at

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