On the Seas of Life

On June 1, 1965, Robert Manry, a 47-year-old newspaper copy editor for the Cleveland (OH) Plain Dealer and a Willowick , Ohio resident, left Falmouth , Massachusetts aboard his 13.5-foot sailboat, Tinkerbelle, to begin his solo voyage across the Atlantic Ocean . He arrived in Falmouth , England seventy-eight days later on August 17, 1965. At the time of the crossing, the Tinkerbelle was the smallest boat to have ever crossed the Atlantic .

During the 3,200-mile voyage, Manry was knocked overboard by big waves, suffered from hallucinations, repaired a broken rudder in mid-ocean, and was awakened one morning by a surfacing submarine.

Finally, after 78 days, when Manry finally approached Falmouth , England , he thought only of tying up to some dock, finding a hotel room, and getting some sleep.  But an enthusiastic crowd had other ideas.  A fleet of about 300 small boats came out to greet him, all blowing their horns in salute.  Forty thousand well-wishers lined the docks, cheering him on.  What a welcome he received!*

Manry’s precarious journey across the Atlantic provides some important lessons for US about LIFE.

Life is a journey, and it is quite difficult at times.  Jesus comforted but also warned his disciples: "These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world" (John 16:33).  There are times in life when the sailing is 
smooth, but there are stormy times as well.

The GOOD NEWS is that if we will continue to hold to the course that God has provided in His Word, then we will reach a safe Harbor – Heaven, where we will receive a joyous welcome!  

Jesus has made this possible for us by dying on the cross for our sins (Ephesians 1:7).  The course to Heaven is by Way of God’s Son - Jesus (John 14:6), believing in Him (Acts 16:30-31), turning from our sins in repentance (2 Cor 7:9-10), confessing Jesus before men (Romans 10:9-10), being baptized (immersed) into Christ for the forgiveness of sins (Acts 2:38), and following Him faithfully (1 John 1:7).

Life, whether at sea or on land, can be difficult....  But if we remain true to the Course (God’s Savior) and weather life’s storms, God will bring us to a safe and glorious Harbor. And what a welcome WE will receive!

Are YOU on the right course?

David A. Sargent, Minister

Church of Christ at Creekwood 
1901 Schillinger Rd. S.
Mobile, Alabama  36695

* Information gleaned from Wikipedia -- “Robert Manry” -- 

The Cleveland Memory Project -- http://www.clevelandmemory.org/ebooks/tinkerbelle/

Wikipedia -- “Robert Manry” -- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_Manry; 
and “Tinkerbelle” -- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tinkerbelle

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