Aye, aye, Captain. Every one of us is on a voyage. Many people know where they’re going and some have no idea which direction they’re headed. I’d venture to say many individuals today want to be the captain—or pilot—of their own ship and want to choose their own destination…like a unique vacation…to an exotic location…caught up in emotion…hoping to find some love potion…figuratively marooned beyond a not-that-really-cool far-away ocean.

When you pilot your high-speed racing machine, you are the actual captain of your own ship, and rightly so, as you make all the steering calls while on board. The thoughts in your mind and the beats of your heart tell you there is a finish line out there and you know what it means to beat the competition.

It’s the first one to the finish line that gets the win…racing and winning isn’t a sin…it’s okay to beat your next of kin…when driving please avoid things like Gordon’s Gin…watch out for a menacing dorsal fin…there’s no excuse for some losses you can pin… keep in mind eternity is about Captain Christ hopefully residing within.

If you’re the captain of your own ship, you have free will to do whatever seems best while you negotiate your way towards a physical finish line. Once across the racing finish line and back at the trailer, the captain can begin charting the course for the next run…sometimes you’re under the eliminations gun…still knowing it’s a lot of fun…make it to the final round and you’re almost done…remember to listen to the Heavenly Announcer who knows who won!

There are plenty of captains in our lives: Employers, policemen, judges, racing associations, teachers, airplane pilots, doctors, attorneys, parents, and your chaplain.

In reality, we’re all getting closer to home and short on time. Every year is getting shorter never seem to find the time, we were young and now we’re old…time to become more heavenly bold… remember what you were taught and told…the holding rope is only a brief hold…time to look forward to God’s streets of gold.

In the spiritual realm, we who attend a church have a captain—our pastor—who God placed there to help guide us through our spiritual walk with Him. I hope and pray your spiritual captain is guiding you towards Christ through teaching you the Bible.

Men, take into account we are the spiritual captain of our family and God holds us responsible to captain our family and guide them through sunny days or a stormy sea…can’t you see…what life can do to you and me…don’t just let it be…get down on your knee…pray for your family tree…and allow Christ to be your Captain never charging a fee.

Grand Funk Railroad was a popular rock & roll band during the 1970’s and had some cool songs. We were blessed to see them in concert, and one of my favorites was “I’m Your Captain / Closer to Home.” Here’s some lyrics to refresh your mind…if I could be so kind…I pray your eyes are open and not blind…or caught up in a bind…even if you have to grind…there’s so much in life to find.

“Am I in my cabin dreaming, or are you really scheming, to take my ship away from me? You’d better think about it, I just can’t live without it, so please don’t take my ship from me.

I can feel the hand of a stranger and it’s tightening around my throat Heaven help me, Heaven help me, take this stranger from my boat.

I’m your captain; I’m your captain, though I’m feeling mighty sick Everybody listen to me, and return me to my ship.”

This turbulent world can make any of us seasick…especially when we burn too much of the candle wick…you may feel like you hit a wall of brick…you might need a tune-up trick…it’s time to do something quick…so grab your biblical joystick…and remember to always have Jesus as your eternal sidekick.

It’s time to get a grip…if needed use a mental whip…return to your divinely constructed ship… ready to rip…and begin a new courtship…with your new Captain as He guides the Heavenly Flagship.

Israel’s Captain—Yahweh—called the people of Israel to leave Egypt—their old life—and come out of slavery in order for the Captain to steer them to the Promised Land. It meant changing a way of life they had known their whole lives. True followers (not just fans) of Christ arrive at a harbor where they continue to receive all God intends for them. Conversely, many are still living their life dictated by old, deep-rooted lifestyles. Are you living in your Promised Land? If not, release your old life and become obedient to the Captain’s calling.

Do you trust riding in a plane, car, or a boat to get you to your destination? Are you willing to trust God to guide you to your eternal destination? C.S. Lewis said, “I believe in Christianity as I believe that the Sun has risen, not only because I see it, but because by it I see everything else.” If there ever was a time when we need to have a closer walk with Christ, the time is now…so let’s all trust in Him by being called children of the Captain that’s how!

Speaking of captains and pilots, the Captain of the universe steers this planet: Sunrises and sunsets, taken for granted by many, are celestial dances happening daily. The earth spins on its axis at 1,000 mph, rotates 360 degrees on its axis every 24 hours, as it’s hurtling through space at 67,000 mph. You may not have any big plans for today, but you’ll travel 1.6 million miles today on your daily lap while orbiting the sun.

Becoming a chaplain, pastor, missionary, or a Christian, means to give up your “normal” life to follow the Captain’s call and build a new life in a different manner. It’s about making big changes and taking risks to obey God. Trusting in our “Captain” with our new lives in Christ leads to a different lifestyle. Always pray and ask God to determine your next steps. Pastors and chaplains have to recognize their primary work is to set the stage for Jesus Christ.

Psalm 119:106 says “I have taken an oath and confirmed it, that I will follow your righteous laws.” Why not follow the heavenly Captain. Why settle for the house (a new hull, chassis, or engine) when we can know the Builder—God Himself. Once you and I know the True Builder, everything else and everyone else is runner-up. “You should not honor men more than the truth,” (Plato). Allow God’s truth to change the course of your life, as Captain Christ steers your ship named G.R.A.C.E. God Rewards All Christians Eternally!

Let’s all be drawn in by the blueprints of humanity, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made” (John 1:1-3a), as all mankind is loved by Christ Jesus, the Builder.

“The irony is that non-Christians often think they’re free, while they see Christians as people who live under a lot of rules, regulations, and restrictions. Meanwhile, they think they can do whatever they want to do because they’re the captains of their own ships and the masters of their own destinies,” (Greg Laurie).

Discover Magazine suggests there are around 700 quintillion (7 followed by 20 zeros) planets in the universe, but only one like Earth. Astrophysicist Eric Zackrisson said that one of the requirements for a planet to sustain life is to orbit in the “Goldilocks” zone, where the temperature is just right, and water can exist. Out of 700 quintillion planets where conditions are just right, Zackrisson concluded that Earth somehow had been dealt a “fairly lucky hand.” We’re not lucky, we’re Lordy, because our Captain impeccably steers our ship.

We must keep in mind that our country was founded on Christian principles, as our founding fathers professed belief in Christ. A study of history will show you it’s true. “If God is number one in our lives, then everything else will find its proper place. But if He is not, then everything else will fall into chaos,” (Greg Laurie).

Dear friends and racers, we desperately need a capable Captain to guide us every day through the deep waters of life: A Captain who cares about our physical life, a Captain who cares about every endeavor we experience, and a Captain who steers our ship into the eternal future.

When you realize your eternal Captain truly wants you to win your earthly race with your best time…in your favorite pastime…in the summer time…winter time…even maritime…no need to pantomime…because we are in a spiritual wartime…in life you may be in your prime…always looking for that peacetime…learning that your heavenly Captain actually wants you to be victorious in your heavenly eternal climb.