MAN OVER BOARD
Thanks so much for continuing with me along my adventure aboard the Zaandam and Rotterdam cruise ships, from March 7th to April 4th, 2020. This is a continuation of the lessons learned and of God’s interventions, His revelations, His sustaining power, as well as the miracles He performed during my voyage.
In the previous LIFE study, The Air I Breathe, I shared how we had been quarantined to our rooms which was a 183 square foot interior room without a window or balcony. After three days with no contact with the world beyond our cubby hole, we were granted a 30-minute walk around the upper deck for fresh air and sunshine.
Our thought and hope was that perhaps this could be a daily thing, but that hope was quickly dashed when the following announcement filled our room. “This is your captain speaking. We have some unfortunate news. Sadly, four of our passengers have died due to COVID-like symptoms and complications. Our hearts go out to the families and loved ones. Unfortunately, we will have to discontinue the fresh air program as the number of those experiencing COVID-like symptoms is increasing.”
Wow. If we didn’t know it before, the seriousness of our situation began to hit home. As the days passed, more staff became ill, which resulted in even fewer services. The wait time to get someone on the phone from guest services had increased. Our meals were now delivered via “knock and run” by the scarce crew who were afraid of contact. And our meal options were interesting, to say the least. One night I declare the lamp chops mooed. And other days, I could only assume that the yellowish/orangish little blob on the plate were eggs. The “healthier” of us were transferred to another ship, the Rotterdam, in an attempt to lessen the staff’s burden and provide more care and attention to the sick. Being healthy was determined by self-report and a temperature check. So Derrick and I made it to the Rotterdam. And we at least had a window.
So while uncomfortable, and bored, and longing for home, we were maintaining. That is until we weren’t. Derrick began to show symptoms of what we presumed to be COVID. His little jog became a shuffle. Planks resulted in him passed out on the floor. His breathing came in little gasps, and he was feverish. And if you know Derrick, when I say he slept most of the day, then you too will agree that something was definitely wrong. I initially thought that this was a blessing in disguise because while I could read and write and watch movies most of the day, being still was not Derrick’s strong suit. So being down and out for a bit kept him from climbing the walls.
Now I know that I have a flair for dramatics. I love to read and write fiction, after all. But I’m not kidding when I tell you that one morning, Derrick looked like death. He was sweating profusely. He was dizzy, and he was burning up. I wanted to call the ship’s doctor, but Derrick thought that bringing attention to our situation would somehow prolong our ability to get off the boat, whenever that was to be. Besides, he asked, what can they possibly do at this point?
So I acquiesced, but I was beyond scared. I was scared that Derrick would make death number five, and I was also afraid that I too would catch the virus and that we’d both die! Talk about a praying wife. I
anointed his head with baby oil. I rebuked demons and spirits. And I pleaded with God, begging that Derrick be made well.
And then, he slept. A peaceful countenance fell over Derrick, and peace flooded my soul. God heard my cry through all the theatrics and drama. God saw me. God heard me. God answered my prayers (Psalm 34:15).
Scripture
Psalm 34:15 – The eyes of the LORD are on the righteous, And His ears are open to their cry.
Lessons Learned
I am so thankful that we serve a God who sees, hears, and answers. This experience was certainly a faith-building experience. I learned that although I don’t always “feel” God’s presence and think He is silent at times, He is always with me (Isaiah 41:10). Whether I make my bed in hell or ascend to uttermost depths of heaven, He is with me (Psalm 139:7-10). I learned that I can’t confine God to my pea-sized understanding of His power and might. How dare I limit His miraculous abilities and His love for me (Ephesians 3:20). His ways are not my ways (Isaiah 55:8-9). And just as He’s pulled me out of situations in the past (Psalm 34:4), He’s orchestrated events in ways I can’t even phantom (I Corinthians 2:9). Just as He’s seen me, heard me, and answered me in the past (Isaiah 65:4), He’d do it again; and I needed to trust in Him (Deuteronomy 7:9).
Lessons Lived
My experience reminded me of the story of Hagar. She’d felt scared, frustrated, hopeless and alone. While in the wilderness, she wondered if God saw her. Here are four points that I got from her story regarding my pursuit to trust God more:
Point Number 1 — God Sees Us: God pursues us and provides grace even in the wilderness (Jeremiah 31:2). In Genesis 16:8, The angel of the Lord found Hagar by a fountain of water in the wilderness. See, God has always been in pursuit of us. From the beginning of time in the Garden of Eden when God called to the man, ‘Where are you?’ (Genesis 3:8-10) to the parables of the lost sheep (Matthew 18:10-14) and the lost coin (Luke 15:8-10) to the very mission of Jesus “to seek, to pursue and to save that which is lost” (Luke 19:10). God has demonstrated his love and grace toward us. God pursued Hagar in the wilderness of her heartache and pain. And he pursues each of us today, providing His love and grace in the wilderness (or the quarantined staterooms) of our lives too. Yes, we may be tossed overboard, but God hears our cries for help, He sees our SOS signals and whatever the outcome, His presence is with us, and He will answer our prayers.
Point number 2 — Be Still: Sometimes, we just need to be still (Psalm 46:10). It was by the still waters amidst the quietness of the wilderness that the angel of the Lord appeared before Hagar. Sometimes we, like Hagar, just need to be still. To take a breath so that we too can hear that still small voice, ministering to us, affirming us, reassuring us (1 Kings 19:11-13). But unfortunately, that’s not our nature, is it? We must always be doing, going, moving, working, lest it all topples down. But that’s not God’s plan for us, so let stillness and time with God be our first response. Draw near to God as He relentlessly pursues us, drawing ever near to us (James 4:8).
Point number 3 — God Hears: We have to exhibit patience during the pause. From the time Hagar returned to Abram’s house until she and Ishmael had to leave again, at least 14 years had passed. Now, I’m imagining that things had to have been better upon her return. I mean, after all, the
angel of the Lord God spoke to Hagar personally and told her to name her son Ishmael, which means God hears. So I think that this name not only affirmed God’s care for Hagar, but perhaps it also sent a subtle message to Abraham and Sarah – I see yall’s mess, and I’m watching you.
We also witness the name change of Sarai to Sarah. Sarai, which meant argumentative in the Hebrew language, was changed to Sarah, meaning princess. Perhaps there was a character change here as well. Perhaps Sarah began to act more like a princess and less like the wicked witch of the East. So for 14 years, Hagar clung to God’s promises and demonstrated patience during the pause.
My friends, the fact that God has not yet given what He promised does not mean that He will not. Time doesn’t limit God or empty His promises of their power. Sometimes we have to pray for wisdom during the wait, faith until fulfillment, strength in the soon but not yet, and patience during the pause.
Point Number 4 — God Answers: God’s blessings abound, even in the midst of our mess (or our theatrics and drama). Genesis 16:10-12 shows that not only had God heard Hagar’s affliction, but He also promised to bless her. First, God reveals that her baby would be a son, which was a big deal in that day. There was no social security to fall back on in old age, so women had to rely upon their husbands or sons to care for them. So God showed himself as Hagar’s provider by giving her a son. Then God provided Hagar an image of wild donkeys running free. See, in Hagar’s ancient world, donkeys didn’t look like our donkeys today; they looked more like wild mustangs. God was promising Hagar that Ishmael, the son of a slave girl, would dwell in the presence of his brothers and despite conflict amongst them, he would never be a slave; he would be free, like the beautiful wild donkeys that roamed the deserts in her world. What hope this message of liberation for her son and his descendants must have given Hagar, an Egyptian slave girl.
Reflections
Provide evidence of God’s pursuit of us in the Garden of Eden, the parable of the lost sheep, the parable of the lost coin, and in Jesus’ mission towards humanity.
- Define the meaning of grace.
- How can Jeremiah 31:2 be applied to Hagar’s experience? How can it be applied to yours? ∙ Reflect on the times when God covered you with His grace.
- How does “mentally and spiritually being still” differ from “physical stillness?” ∙ How comfortable are you with “being still mentally and spiritually?” ∙ What are some ways that you can “be still” even amidst the busyness of life?
- What strategies can help you wait on the Lord and be of good courage?
- What are your personal LIFE Lessons?
- Liberation: What new insights have you gained that have freed you from past thoughts or practices?
- Inspiration: In what ways have you been spiritually, emotionally or mentally motivated to live for Christ?
- Fortification: What additional scriptural texts, passages or stories can reinforce and strengthen you against the attacks of the enemy?
- Edification: How might you share your story to edify others and bring glory to God?
Playlist
Prayer
