God doesn’t prevent storms but help us through

On how Paul urged the sailors to keep their courage

OVER many years the second Sunday of July has been kept as Sea Sunday, with a special focus on prayer for all seafarers.

Some years ago, we were on holiday in Cornwall and on the Sunday morning we went along to the Methodist Church in the lovely seaside town of St Ives. It happened to be ‘Sea Sunday’. The chapel was decorated with everything to do with fishing and sea life. Fishing nets, with their colourful weights, a tiller from the deck of a fishing boat and a Sunday school presentation that telling us the story of Jesus calling fishermen to follow him.

For over 150 years the Mission to Seafarers has supported the work of sailors facing difficult waters, piracy, and separation from loved ones for long periods at sea. Offering practical and emotional support and spiritual guidance through their representation at over 200 sea ports in many countries.

Canon Huw Mosford was the Director of Chaplaincies of Mission to Seafarers for six years before coming to Llanelli. Canon Mosford was responsible for 282 chaplaincies in 51 countries and for those years had the wonderful experience of travelling the world – reaching out in support and pastoral care to seafarers in the name of Christ.

In this capacity Canon Huw officiated at the memorial service marking the 100th year anniversary of the Titanic disaster at the location and time of the disaster. We thank God for his faithful ministry in those years and here in the community of Llanelli where he is held in such high regard.

There’s a story in the Bible of the Apostle Paul being shipped as a prisoner to Rome when the ship was caught in a storm. There was a lack of hope even among the seasoned sailors that they would survive.

Paul, however, urged them to keep their courage, he knew that if God had promised that he would stand before the Emperor of Rome – then so be it! Eventually shipwrecked off the coast of Malta they were able to continue their journey. Do we worry and panic?

God doesn’t necessarily prevent storms from taking place, but we can certainly trust his purpose through them. ‘Through many conflict toils and snares, I have already come, tis grace that brought me safe thus far and grace will lead me home’ Indeed ‘Amazing grace!’