BACK TO THE BASICS

One of the world’s most famous merchant captains died, having long been admired by his crew and fellow officers.

They remained puzzled, however, over a strange ritual he performed daily. While at sea he would lock himself in his cabin and open a small safe, take out an envelope with a note inside and read it. After locking the paper back in the safe, he would return to his duties.

For years this went on, and his crew became very curious. Was it a treasure map? Was it a letter from a long lost love? Everyone speculated about the contents of the strange envelope.

After laying the captain’s body to rest, the first mate led the entire crew back to the ship and into the captain’s quarters. He opened the safe, got the envelope and read the words aloud to an astonished crew:

“Port: Left, Starboard: Right.”

Sometimes we need to be reminded of the basics! That’s true of those of us who are Christians as well. We would all do well to lock away the basics of Christianity in a safe and get away to ourselves daily and go over them once again. So that we never forget. So that we don’t get so caught up doing a million different things that we forget the most important and the most basic rules of life.

What belongs in the safe? We don’t have to wonder. Jesus himself told us:

“‘You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.'” (Matthew 22:37-39)

That’s what’s in the safe — “Love God. Love others.” Don’t ever forget. If you need to, put those words in a secret place and go to that spot daily.

Have a great day!

Alan Smith