Shipwrecks and Balance Beams

On a dangerous seacoast notorious for shipwrecks, there was a crude little lifesaving station. Actually, the station was merely a hut with only one wooden boat. But the few devoted members kept a constant watch over the turbulent sea. With little thought for themselves, they would go out day and night tirelessly searching for those in danger as well as for those who were lost. Many lives were saved by this brave band of people, who faithfully worked as a selfless team in and out of this life-saving station. By and by, it became a famous place.


Some of those who had been saved as well as others along the seacoast wanted to become associated with this little station. They were willing to give their time and energy and money in support of its objectives. New boats were purchased with technologically advanced sonar. New crews were trained. The station that was once obscure and crude and virtually insignificant began to grow. Some of its members became unhappy that the hut was so unattractive and poorly equipped. They felt a more comfortable place should be provided. Therefore, emergency cots were replaced with lovely cushioned furniture. Rough, hand-made equipment was discarded and sophisticated, classy state of the art systems were installed. The actual hut, of course, had to be torn down to make room for all the additional equipment, furniture, systems, and upscale appointments. By its completion, the lifesaving station had really become a popular gathering place – a show case of sorts, and its objectives began to shift. It was now used as a sort of clubhouse, an attractive building for upscale, public gatherings. Saving lives and feeding the hungry and strengthening the fearful and calming the disturbed ...rarely occurred any more.


Fewer members were now interested in braving the icy cold sea on lifesaving missions, so instead, they hired professional lifeboat crews to do the work. The original goal of the station wasn’t altogether forgotten, however. The noble lifesaving motive still prevailed as it was reflected in the club’s decor. In fact, in commemoration of their group’s movement, there was a liturgical lifeboat preserved in the "Room of Sweet Memories" with soft, indirect lighting overhead, which helped hide the layers of dust upon the once-used varnished vessel.

A curious thing happened though. During that time and season a large ship was wrecked off the coast and the boat crews brought in loads of cold, wet, half-drowned people. They were dirty. Some were terribly sick and lonely. Others had black, brown and yellow skin color—they looked "different" from the majority of those who were members of this classy club. Some were even of the wrong political persuasion. The beautiful new clubhouse suddenly became real messy and cluttered. The furniture became soiled. A special committee saw to it that a shower shack was immediately built "outside" and "away from" the clubhouse so that the victims of the shipwreck could be cleaned-up "before" coming inside their five star club facilities.


At the next meeting there were some strong words and angry feelings vented, which resulted in a division among the members. Most of the people wanted to stop the club’s lifesaving activities altogether and place all involvements with future shipwreck victims somewhere else. "It’s just too unpleasant," they said. "It’s a hindrance to our social life. It’s simply opening the doors to unseemly folks who are not ‘our kind.’"Well, as you would expect, some still insisted upon saving lives and that this was to remain their primary objective. Their only reason for being was to minister to "anyone" needing help regardless of their club’s beauty or size or decorations. They were voted down though and were told that if they still wanted to be involved in saving lives ...you know being involved with those kind of lowlifes ...who were shipwrecked in those distant waters, they could begin their own lifesaving station down the coast! And so they did.


As years passed, the new station experienced the same old changes. It evolved into just another club. And yet another lifesaving station was begun. It was strange how history seemed to continue to repeat itself. If you visit that club today, you’ll find a large number of exclusive, impressive clubs along the same shoreline owned and operated by slick paid professionals who have lost all involvement with saving lives. Shipwrecks still occur in those waters, you understand, but now most of the victims are not saved. Every day they perish in the frigid sea by drowning, and so few seem to even care... so very few. -- Kurt von Schleicher
 

As the church we have been commissioned to go into all the world. (Matthew 28:19-20) Jesus also said earlier in his ministry the harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. I was recently talking to my church's college and career group about why I was involved and where I would like to see the ministry go. As with any ministry the focus MUST be Christ and the Gospel. If we loose our focus on that then we are only a social club. The church in America has been drifting this way.  Church buildings are now multimillion dollar facilities. Are these churches still willing to go out into the harvest or are the comforts at home too much to give up? I am not saying that every church in America is going this way. There are many large and small churches that God is using in powerful ways to make His name great. However, too many Christians in churches are settling for the comfortable social setting of the church and they don't want to go out into the unknown. Going out into the unknown is risky and dangerous. When we remember the gospel and what God has done for us we realize that without Him we are nothing. He deserves our lives, our worship, and to be first place in everything. We go to the lost not out of some sense of duty, but instead we go out of love. 

I have posted this video by Francis Chan before, but I think it is worth watching again.