Hope and Inspiration, Today
1st Lt. Tom Pullings: [Before the final battle as the gun-crews wait for the signal] 'Steady now lads, keep calm.' from Master and Commander, written by Patrick O'Brian, 1969
In April 1805, the H.M.S. Surprise, a British frigate, under the command of Captain Jack Aubrey is ordered to track, capture or destroy one of Napoleon's most prized fighting ships - Acheron.
Captain Aubrey quickly learns that not only is Acheron much bigger, but a much faster ship than his. The odds seem impossible, especially as Aubrey comes to understand just how close the Surprise must get to deal any significant damage to Acheron's sturdy hull. After months of frustration, having endured violent storms, the death of crew members and a near mutiny, Aubrey finally hits on an idea.
Aubrey disguises his frigate as a whaling ship; hoping that the French, driven by greed, will close to capture the ship rather than destroy it. The French take the bait, pulling alongside the Surprise, Aubrey then lets loose a deadly storm of cannon fire, destroying the French ship's mainmast. Aubrey's boarding parties cross the wreckage, engaging in fierce hand-to-hand combat before the French ship is captured.
Aubrey overcame his impossible odds through preparation, persistence, planning and prayer. Come to think of it, that's about the only way impossible odds ever become possible. As a world class thief might tell you, the right combination will unlock the most unlikely door.
One of the sailors on Aubrey's ship, an old sea dog who had seen anything you can think of involving a fighting ship and an ocean, had these two words tatooed on the knuckles of either hand. HOLD FAST.
'Hold Fast!' - a command that likely originated from a Dutch sailing term, houd vast. This command is used on a ship, especially in an emergency situation, to indicate that a sailor must cease what he is doing, or hold firmly onto ropes aboard a ship in high seas. 'Hold Fast!' - the term can also be used, much in the way that someone shouts "stop" to a driver who is at risk of colliding with something.
So when you find yourself in an impossible situation, or you cannot see above the height of the waves that surround you - Hold Fast! Don't run blindly into the storm, but prepare, persist, plan and pray. And give freedom of the wheel house over to the One who knows just how to steer for safe harbour.
'Don't be afraid. Just stand still and watch the Lord rescue you today... The Lord himself will fight for you. Just stay calm." Exodus 14 v13a & 14, New Living Translation
He believes in you!
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