The Ship of Zion

By Colin Williamson

It is late night aboard the beautiful Holland American ship, The Veendam.  I stand in the darkness by the balcony railing.  My eyes search the dark surface of the sea and my mind reviews its hidden dangers.  There is a perverse impulse that explores the consequences of a leap into the sea.  It’s doubtful that even the body could be recovered.  The dark waters would swallow you up in a brief time.  If one is able to stay afloat, creatures of the sea would have their destructive way.  The separation from water and nourishment will soon weaken you until the will to fight on is lost.

The world is like that!  From our vantage point we see the dangers around us, yet we are tempted.  We see a world leaping from the bridge of accountable knowledge into the wild unknown  . . . where certain death comes to those who remain there.  How can they be extracted?  Who will throw the rope or life raft?  I need to be horrified at the thought of leaving the safety and casting myself into a sea of certain damnation.

So, here I stand on the ship of Zion . . . the church of Jesus Christ.  Within it I have a captain, provisions, and friends to make a trip to paradise.  The world around me is filled with dangers that entice my affections.  To move away from the Christ who redeemed me is to be ultimately destroyed.  As long as I remain an obedient believer and a passenger on this ark, I travel in security through the sea of life.  The ship of Zion will give me safe passage till I am truly home.

Ps 4:8 In peace will I both lay me down and sleep; For thou, Jehovah, alone makest me dwell in safety.