Weekday Devotion With Pastor Chris

John Kretschmer is an extraordinary sailor.  He has logged more than 300,000 offshore miles, sailing in virtually all the world’s oceans.  He has written seven books and hundreds of articles, and has conducted over 130 offshore training passages.  His courses range from introductory cruises to heavy weather passages that can include the most challenging conditions a sailor will face.

     In his book Sailing a Serious Ocean, Kretschmer talks about one trip in particular.  It was a passage from Nova Scotia to Fort Lauderdale aboard his beloved Quetzal, a 1987 Kaufman 47.  They had passed Cape Cod and knew they now had to cross the Gulf Stream.  After a week of severe storms and with a northeaster working against the current, conditions were going to be brutal.  Two of the crew, Ric and Diane, were in the cockpit when they entered into the Gulf Stream.  Within minutes the conditions changed from moderately rough to extremely rough.

     Aware that the ride had become noticeably different, Kretschmer sensed that his boat was in a danger zone.  He quickly made his way up into the cockpit, and saw the largest wave he had ever seen towering over the stern.  As it broke, Kretschmer wondered if they would survive. 
They were swallowed in a torrent of water.  The boat listed hard and the mast was in the water.  Kretschmer braced for a full roll, but somehow she didn’t go all the way over.  Quetzal regained her footing, straightened up, but was wallowing.  Another wave broke across her and flowed through the cockpit.  Diane was swept away.  Kretschmer writes:

I watched with horror and stunned disbelief as the wave carried her aft.  I leaped after her.  She was already most of the way off the boat when the backs of her legs snagged the upper lifeline.  A split second later I had a death grip on her thighs.

     Ric was pinned by debris, unable to help.  Kretschmer tried to lift her back, but couldn’t do it.  The water was too strong.  He knew that if she was washed away, he was going with her.  There was no way that he was letting go.  Finally, one of the crew emerged from below and at the same time Ric was able to get free of the debris.  Together, the three of them pulled Diane back on board.

     There are times when life can come crashing down like an irresistible wave; overwhelming us and threatening to carry us under.  But we worship a God who, like Kretschmer, won’t let us go.  No matter how bad it gets, God is there, his grip on our lives an anchor in the midst of the storm, keeping us from being swept away.  The Lord, our God, is with us always, his hold strong and sure.

“In my distress I called upon the Lord; to my God I cried for help.  From his temple he heard my voice, and my cry to him reached his ears… He reached down from on high, he took me; he drew me out of mighty waters… He brought me out into a broad place; he delivered me, because he delighted in me.” (Ps. 18:6,16,19)