Day 37: Man Down

Job 11:13, 18: (KJV) “If thou prepare thine heart, and stretch out thine hands toward him; And thou shalt be secure, because there is hope; yea, thou shalt dig about thee, and thou shalt take thy rest in safety.”

Rapid and multiple bells on the ship’s 1MC mean that something important is about to be announced. On this occasion, the announcement rang out: “Man down, man down. There is a report of one man down in compartment 3-195-O-Q, ship’s chapel.” Because of high waves that were causing the ship to roll, an unsecured television had tumbled from its tenuous position, headed toward the floor. I heard a yell and saw one of the chaplains come tumbling out of his office holding his knee, obviously in great pain. In his zeal to save the TV, he had reached out and tried to catch it. He was unable to stop or slow its fall and this heavy piece of equipment fell on his knee. Soon the chapel was filled with medical personnel and security all wanting to attend to their fallen shipmate. All of this could have been averted if the television had been properly secured. We are warned continuously to secure our department for sea. We had secured the set to some degree, using duct tape to stabilize it. But that was no match for the seas. The chaplain was taken to the medical clinic, but fortunately his injuries were minimal. We were lucky. Our failure to properly secure the television set could have severely injured a sailor.

The writer in Job understands the need for stability. Even more important, he understands the benefits that security brings. There is safety when we know beforehand and respond properly in accordance with what we know. While physical security is important, spiritual security is more important. There are times when physical damage can be repaired. There are also times when spiritual damage has no repair. The writer wanted to make sure there would never be any rapid ringing of spiritual bells on his behalf. When the call was made to spiritually secure for life, the call was heeded and properly done. Our request:

Lord, make me ever mindful to heed your commands, firsthand,
To use proper spiritual restraints that, in times of trouble, will enable me to stand.
Help me not to wait until after the fact to do all that I know to do,
Make me a model Christian, so others might emulate my preparedness in you.

Questions to Consider:

• Have I taken inventory of my life today?
• Am I secured for life as a sailor secured for sea?

Reflection for the Day:

• Get a note pad. Find a quiet place and take careful inventory of your preparedness in Christ.