The Tale of Two Paddlewheel Boats

Clovis Chappell, a popular minister in the 20th century, told the story of two paddlewheel boats. They left Memphis about the same time, traveling down the Mississippi River to New Orleans. As they traveled side by side, sailors from one vessel made a few remarks about the slow pace of the other. Words were exchanged, challenges made, and a race began. Competition became vicious as the two boats roared through the Deep South.

One boat began falling behind. Not enough fuel. There had been plenty of coal for the trip, but not enough for a race. As the boat dropped back, an enterprising young sailor took some of the ship’s cargo and tossed it into the engine furnace. When the sailors saw that the supplies burned as well as the coal, they fueled their boat with the material they had been assigned to transport. They ended up winning the race, but burned up their cargo in the process.

Even so, God has entrusted cargo to us, too. Our children are our responsibility. Our job is to make sure that our cargo reaches its destination. We should never sacrifice this precious cargo in pursuit of lesser goals or human achievements. Your children (and grandchildren) matter. So help them reach their eternal destination. This you do by sharing your faith and showing them your faith. Guide them into a life of faith that, in turn, glorifies God and blesses them. You have, perhaps, no greater responsibility, humanly speaking, than to “Train up a child in the way he should go…” (Proverbs 22:6). This is your Call of Duty!

Devotedly yours,
Pastor Ron