Follow-up to Repent Blog Post
One important reason I decided to share my notes about what Jesus said to do was to demonstrate how Jesus’ statements are remarkably practical to follow in today’s world. This has been my experience and I hope it will be yours.
I‘m trying something new to share a quote or meme that compliments Jesus’ command and makes it more memorable. I love this quote by Lao Tsu. an ancient Chinese philosopher. He is the same person credited with the truth that, “A journey of a thousand miles must begin with a single step.”
A Navy Legend
There is a naval legend that I was told when I was in the Navy Reserve Officer Training Corp. The story goes roughly like this: During the early days of radio navigation a battle group was training in the fog off the coast of California. The commander of the battle group radioed to a single non-descript contact to move out of the way of the group because they were on a collision course. The “contact” radioed back that he would not move and that the battle group would have to divert their course. This back and forth banter continued for a few minutes. The high ranking battle group commander ends up finding out that the voice of the “contact” was a low ranking coast guard enlistee. In rage, the commander orders the enlisted man to, “Change your course immediately!” To this the enlisted man replies , “Sir, I cannot change course. I am the lighthouse!‘
I retell the story to make the point that this commander whether fictitious of not, had to REPENT; that is to recognize his error and make a decision to change course or face disaster. This is precisely the point Jesus was making and it is the gist of Lao Tsu’s quote.
In my own life, I’ve had to face the truth of the circumstances. I’ve had to make changes many times and in different areas of life. I know that certain disaster would have resulted otherwise. Many people have told me that my experience is not unique. Another insight I am still trying to implement is to be willing to question myself and recognize my mistakes, bad attitudes and false assumption earlier. I’m still learning this skill…
By the way
A true Navy disaster did occur In 1923 when eight Navy destroyer vessels ran aground off Honda Point in California. New radio navigation gear was involved in the chain of errors that led to the disaster. I have to wonder if the legend just might have some truth to it!
Below, please share your comments , question or perhaps your own application for this command
© 2018 Christopher Carlson WhatJesusSaidToDo.com