SS Thoughts #25: Packed and Ready

After a vacation to Alaska – in the summer – this post now means more to me! The picture shows the Hubbard Glacier, seen from our ship. The post is adapted from Doug Batchelor: Finding life through real faith.

In 1914, Sir Ernest Shackleton and his crew sailed to Antarctica, intending to cross the continent on foot.  But before reaching Antarctica, their ship became trapped in the ice and was crushed beyond repair. For almost a year the men camped on the ice and then paddled lifeboats to a small, rocky, desolate spit of land called Elephant Island. Knowing that his crew would never survive the winter there, Shackleton took a few men and set off to get help. Before leaving the island, he promised, “I will come back. Make sure you’re packed”.

Braving monstrous waves and hurricane force winds they reached a remote whaling station on another island. In spite of his hunger and exhaustion, Shackleton turned right back with a rescue ship and small crew, and fought his way back for the stranded men. Miraculously, not a single man was lost during the entire two-year ordeal.

As they were headed home, Shackleton asked the rescued men, “How were you all able to survive?”

They replied. “We never lost hope. You had promised to return, and we believed you.”

Jesus won’t leave His people suffering forever in this cold, desolate world either.  He has promised, “I will come again” (John 14:1-3). Nothing, absolutely nothing, will deter Jesus from rescuing His people and bringing them safely home.

Do you know how much you are worth to the King of kings? Do you know what He has paid to adopt and redeem you? He paid with His own life!! Are you packed and ready for His return?