Straits at Kattegat
The Baltic and North Seas are separated by narrow straits that divide the extensive archipelago that makes up Denmark. At some points the waters are a mere twelve feet deep, rather problematic if one’s boat draws thirty feet of water. These waters are notorious for their ability to be stirred up into a bone jarring frenzy. The shallowness puts them at much greater risk for being tumultuous on the surface. For weeks these waters have been glassy and benevolent to those striking out for the delimited adventure that tourists want. The waters have been described as ‘calm with ripples’ in the maritime grading algorithm - perfect for those claiming no pretense at having sea legs.
Today we had a subtle reminder that the waters (or those that stir them) will ultimately decide whether we have a good day or a bad one. A squall line from somewhere up near the Arctic Circle pushed down and stirred things up to what is classified as ‘moderate seas’, waves seven and a half feet with some underlying swells going on. The winds were sustained at 37 knots. Not dangerous by any consideration but enough to make one not feel like being social or going to the trouble to make a better word in a scrabble game. There were not many people out looking for something to eat or walking outside on deck. I was outside by myself during the afternoon.
It occurs to me that these seas are a perfect metaphor for active effective faith that will see us through the hard times. Waters that are deep are much less troubled by outside disturbances. An underwater earthquake is a disturbance that will generate a massive tsunami that can kills millions. The only reasons tsunami kill people is because along shallow coastlines the water piles up on itself and rushes inland over land at phenomenal speeds. In deep water a tsunami wave moving at 1,200 MPH is barely detectable. There is somewhere for water and kinetic energy to be transferred.
If we have built a deep abiding faith during clear sunny days when life is good and problems are but faded memories, then we are much better prepared for the affective tsunami that wash onto our shores - things like cancer, unemployment, death, bankruptcy, failed dreams. It is difficult to build deep faith effectively when a downpour is being blown in upon us and flooding our basements. It is difficult to learn to manage panic in a fox hole. One needs to learn how to manage it before going into the fox hole. Doctor’s offices, courtrooms, and funeral homes are not the best places to begin building one’s faith. As the old adage says, ‘make hay while the sun shines’. Adversity rarely comes with an engraved announcement.
The Baltic Sea and the North Sea will intermittently be smooth and tranquil and raging and dangerous. We can gain the skills of good seamanship that will enable us to safely navigate their waters in smaller boats. A bit less skill will be needed if one is in much bigger ships of 100,000 tons. As the water becomes more enraged, ship size will not much matter. One better be completely prepared or plan to stay on shore.
Our life tsunamis don’t often give us a safe shore to go hide on and we rarely have a vote on our participation in life events. We are challenged by the ancient writings to be prepared for those events that will determine the mettle of our faith. Living life is risking business but I reminded by these gray waters that ships were meant to be taken out of the harbor if one wants to make it to the far shore. The apostle Paul variously describes his experiences with ship wrecks, imprisonments, sickness, and persecution of diverse sorts. He was able to weather a lot of life adversity because he had stayed busy on sunny days instead of lying about in the sun getting a tan.
Are we doing the things on sunny days that will enable us to walk up on deck on those leaden days when the waves are at fifty feet and the sustained wind is 60 knots?
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