November 9 and 10, 1913 did not
bring any comforting memories to Nellie Williams. In fact those two days would
continue to haunt her dreams, waking her up in a cold sweat with tears soaking
her pillow. Her life would never be the same …
Hurricane-force winds squealed across Lake Erie for
the duration of those two days, and the Light Vessel 82 (L.V. 82), captained by
her beloved husband, Hugh, was hit head on. Overwhelmed by the ferocity of the
high winds as well as the breaking waves, the crew realized that their fight for
survival was hopeless.
This wasn't the only vessel to fall prey to this
brutal storm. Over 250 people aboard a dozen ships lost their lives.
Storm wreckage began to wash ashore at the foot of
Michigan Avenue, in Buffalo, NY. Among the debris was a piece of wood from Light
Vessel 82. This piece of wood displayed a penciled message from Captain Williams
to his wife. Realizing he had but moments to live, his last thoughts went to the
one he loved so dearly. He wrote "Goodbye, Nellie, The ship is breaking up fast.
Williams."
If love like this was our only motivation, how
different this world would be. Did you know that Jesus gave us only one direct
command in the whole New Testament? "This is my command: Love each other." (John
15:17 NIV)
Strangely enough, love is the one thing we struggle
with the most! Marriages don't last, and any couple fortunate enough to have
been married past the twenty-year mark become an icon in our society. The
question they hear most often? "How did you do it?"
Undeterred Jesus repeated that same command three
times in His last conversation with his disciples.
"A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have
loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are
my disciples, if you love one another." (John 13:34-35 NIV)
Loving one another should be our only priority, not
only as a benefit for ourselves, but also to others who have not heard the great
news about what God has done for humanity. So many leave churches after just a
couple of visits, because of the utter indifference they find among its members.
Where love does not thrive, God's message is lost! In fact God's message can
only thrive where love reigns! All those who do not know real love tell but a
cheap imitation of the message!
"My command is this: Love each other as I have loved
you. Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his
friends." (John 15:12-13 NIV)
The love that Jesus urges us to experience is a deep
committed love, one where we gladly "lay down" our lives for our friends. Now
some of us may be starting to think: Do I have any real friends?
It's never too late to start having real friends. It's
as simple as starting to love others the way Jesus did! Pure love is only
possible when we get to know our Heavenly Father. Once we start this kind of
relationship with God, we'll have no choice but to love the way He does!
"I have made you known to them, and will continue to
make you known in order that the love you have for me may be in them and that I
myself may be in them." (John 17:26 NIV)
Washed ashore, I noticed a simple message addressed to
us from the Lover our souls: "Now remain in my love." (John 15:9 NIV)
How will we respond?
Rob Chaffart
The Illustrator: This daily newsletter is dedicated to encouraging
everyone to look towards Jesus as the source of all the solutions to our
problems. It contains a daily inspirational story, a Bible verse and encouraging
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The Nugget: Published three times a week, this newsletter features inspirational devotionals and mini-sermons dedicated to drawing mankind closer to each other and to Christ.