A Three Hour Tour

Some of you who are my age, or a little younger, know this reference.

In the 1960’s there was a television show called “Gilligan’s Island”. A charter boat set sail for a 3-hour tour. Instead, they were caught in a storm and stranded on a deserted island. Great premise for a tv show, right?

What about real life? Have you ever felt like you were stranded on a deserted island and no one knew you were there? Let me share a life experience with you.

In January of 1982, Dave and I, along with two other couples, founded a ministry called Christian Cowboys Assn. Prior to that we were running a hay operation for an absentee owner. We had 900 acres of alfalfa and the owner sold the bales from a storage barn in Peoria.

We had two small children, kindergarten and first grade, we drove company vehicles, lived rent free in a manufactured home, and received a good wage. Our only expenses were our groceries and clothing. We had it made.

About that time, the Lord started dealing with our hearts to establish an outreach to working cowboys and ranchers. Those folks who had to work 24/7 during the growing season and couldn’t get to town for church or any kind of fellowship.

We began holding evening Bible Studies, three of them in different locations each week. When we weren’t working hay, we would hold Sunday Cowboy Church. The Lord blessed the outreach and we knew we needed to leave the farm and all that it offered and step out “full-time” to continue ministry.

There was no church backing or financial support but we had a few people from the Bible Studies felt led to give an offering from time to time. We went to the owner of the farm and told him we needed to quit and pursue ministry. He understood completely but was one of the few who did.

That brings us to the Scripture I felt led to share today.

We had one well-intentioned family member say to us, “You know, you don’t need to go overboard with this ministry stuff”. To which Dave replied, “You have to go overboard, if you’re going to walk on water”. And so we did.

“Later in the evening, he was still there. ²⁴ By this time the boat was a long way from the shore. It was going against the wind and was being tossed around by the waves. ²⁵ A little while before morning, Jesus came walking on the water toward his disciples. ²⁶ When they saw him, they thought he was a ghost. They were terrified and started screaming.

²⁷ At once, Jesus said to them, “Don’t worry! I am Jesus. Don’t be afraid.” ²⁸ Peter replied, “Lord, if it really is you, tell me to come to you on the water.” ²⁹ “Come on!” Jesus said. Peter then got out of the boat and started walking on the water toward him.

³⁰ But when Peter saw how strong the wind was, he was afraid and started sinking. “Save me, Lord!” he shouted.³¹ At once, Jesus reached out his hand. He helped Peter up and said, “You surely don’t have much faith. Why do you doubt?” ³² When Jesus and Peter got into the boat, the wind died down.” Matthew 14:23-32 CEV

There were many times we felt we were about to sink and we called out to the Lord. He always lifted us up and calmed our fears.

If you’ve stepped out but feel you’re sinking do what Peter did. Say, Lord, save me! He will!!