“If you love me, keep my commands.” Jesus John 14:15
“Just found out I passed,” was what the mass email to family members said. The text was from Clint, my Tampa Bay Deputy Harbor Pilot son who, for the last year and a half, has been working to gain Full Florida State Pilot Status through testing and training. He’s been doing that since 2017! This week, his final test was on what they call, “The Rules of the Road!” And yes… they’re SHIPS!
There were hundreds of questions on the test and he had to get a 90 to pass! Interestingly enough, Clint is the smartest of my 4 kids… and everyone knows it! But he is also the most rebellious! So I find it rather ironic that He selected a job that would require his EXPERTISE on knowing and, ha-ha, obeying RULES! Though I try, I’ll never get over God’s amazing and oxymoron-like sense of humor!
“What degree of angle should be the adjustment to the bow when winds gust 16 knots in the aft section of the starboard side while approaching The Skyway?” It’s an impressive question that leaves anyone with the thought, “WOW… that guy HAS to be, and MUST be SMART to have to know all that stuff!” Knowing the Rules of the Road are CRITICAL to not crashing into a bridge!
Clint’s been driving ships in and out of Tampa Bay by himself almost since he started training. This one was 1100’, or over 3 ½ football fields long. Time and money being the 2 most precious commodities among people, he had to prove he was capable of piloting it before they gave him the rights to drive that expensive cargo. His permission was limited when it came to driving PEOPLE!
Wrapping up his training, Clint must prove he can move people without incident or danger. Now, when he pilots a cruise ship, he has to have a fully authorized Harbor Pilot beside him watching his every move. He’s already proven he KNOWS the rules, so after he’s proven he can follow them perfectly, he’ll be given the right to pilot the masses of people on a cruise ship… unattended.
Jesus is my Harbor Master. When it comes to His sheep and His Bride ‘The Church,’ He calls me to DO AS HE COMMANDS. That means every one of His rules are important AND are required knowledge for His followers. Reading God’s Word, along with practice, helps me become an expert. Sadly, LOTS of people like to make up their own rules and THINK they know God’s stuff.
Oh.. that question about ‘degree of angle’ is NOT a real question. I made it up to sound impressive for a purpose. Some people may SOUND smart, but beware! Usually Jesus doesn’t ask us to do hard things we aren’t capable of doing with Him as our Captain. Are you reading, practicing and following Him into the world of people? And are you getting better at driving people to Jesus?
