Nine years ago, a 16-year old Dutch teenager named Laura Dekker left Gibraltar in a small boat determined to sail around the world. At first, the Dutch government attempted to stop her, concerned for her safety. But she eventually received permission and off she went sailing west across the Atlantic Ocean, through the Panama Canal, across the Pacific and up the west coast of Africa, arriving home safely. The whole trip took her a year and 5 months. She was the youngest person to sail around the world alone.

Can you imagine the challenges of making such a trip? Hidden reefs and rocks were a threat. Wear and tear on the boat forced her to stop in Australia for repairs. Some of the most frightening moments happened as she approached South Africa where big waves and strong winds shifted the direction of the boat. Her maturity and skill enabled her to complete her journey.

Paul warned Christians in Ephesians 4:14, “As a result, we are no longer to be children, tossed here and there by waves, and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, by craftiness in deceitful scheming.” He is urging us to work together with the rest of the church to become mature and strong in the faith, full of the teachings of Jesus Christ and dependant on His strength daily. This will guard us from the tricks and schemes of people who intend to cause harm. Like our young Dutch friend, we can travel through all of life’s threatening dangers and reach our goal.

Determine to sail wisely.

– Tim Johnson