The North Star
A story is told of a ship called the North Star, that
left port October 22. The ship had to cross the North
Atlantic charting through cold, iceberg-infested waters. A
sailor was placed on deck to watch for icebergs. As fate
would have it, the watchman fell asleep. When he suddenly
awoke, to his horror, he saw a massive iceberg sitting
ominously ahead of the ship. The watchman frantically rang
the alarm and crewmen tried to correct the ship's direction,
but it was too late. There was a jolt, then a sickening
slow-motion crunch as the iceberg ground into the ship.
The captain quickly assembled the frightened passengers and
crew on deck and announced the extent of the damage. He gave
a hopeful glance to the huddled passengers on one side of
the deck, then turned to the other side to face a neatly
assembled line of sailors standing at attention. He told
them there was still a way to save the ship. A volunteer was
needed to jump into the frigid waters and swim into the gash
caused by the iceberg. Once inside, the swimmer could close
the door to the compartment where the water was entering,
saving the ship and all lives on board.
As the captain paused to look silently down the line of
sailors, he realized that he would have to go down the line
and ask the men individually. The first seaman, with a
mournful glance, reminded the captain that he had a wife and
kids at home. The next sailor stood quietly, unable to say
anything. Suddenly all eyes turned toward a voice that
pierced the tense silence. It was the youngest sailor, a
teenager, who came forward. He said, "I will do it, captain.
Just give the command and I'll enter the water."
The captain turned pale. He wrapped the young sailor in a
tight embrace, then whispered the command, and the sailor
quickly took off his shoes and jumped into the water.
As the crowd on deck listened intently, the subtle roar of
the water entering the ship stopped. In the silence of that
moment, the passengers realized that the young sailor had
drowned.
The next morning, as the sun began to rise on the cold, gray
horizon, the captain, being a Christian, called everyone
together for a service of thanksgiving to the Lord. After
singing a few songs, the captain said, "That young man who
made such a great sacrifice for us last night ....was my
only son."
This story helps us to better understand the meaning of John
3:16, God allowed His only Son to volunteer His life so that
you and I might live forever with Him. Now that's devotion!
God is so devoted to us that He has paid the ultimate price.
All He asks is that we devote our lives to Him in return.
And whatever we give to him, He always gives back to us
blessed and glorified.
Author unknown. If anyone has a proprietary interest in this story please authenticate and I will be happy to credit, or remove, as the circumstances dictate.
Thanks to WEBBER1969@aol.com