During World War II an aircraft carrier was out in the North Atlantic.
Six pilots took off from the carrier to spot enemy submarines. While
the pilots were gone, the captain of the ship was forced to issue an
alarm. A button was pushed and instantaneously every light on the ship
was extinguished.
While their mother ship remained in blackout,
the pilots started to return. The experienced airmen knew their ship was
down there. Yes, she was down there somewhere, they just didn't know
her exact location.
They radioed the ship: "Give us light, we're
coming home." The radio operator on the ship radioed back: "The order is
for a blackout. We can't give you more light."
Another pilot
picked up his microphone and said, 'Just give us some light and we can
make it." To his request the radio operator said, "No light - blackout."
A third pilot went on his radio and begged, "Look buddy, all we need
is one light. Give us just one light, and we can try to land." The
operator could do no more. With great reluctance he reached over, turned
the switch and broke radio contact. Six aviators, the pride of their
families, hometowns, and country went down in the cold north Atlantic
Ocean and into eternity.
There is a point to this terribly tragic
story.
It should be noted that those aviators were highly trained
flyers. Even more they were good men trying to do the right thing. This
they did by following orders and fighting for a noble purpose. But, no
matter how good they were, how trained they were, how noble they were,
without that light they were lost.
It is no different for the
rest of humanity.
People can be kind, noble, committed, and live
every minute of their lives for others. They can try as hard as they
can, but without the Light of Jesus Christ, they are still lost . . .
. . . they are still helpless . . .
. . . they are still condemned to hell.
Which is why those who are saved need to give thanks for the
Light, and those who are still lost need to see just how much they
need the salvation-light which Jesus gives. Which is why we pray that
God will grant such a thing happen for these millions before they go
down, die, and enter eternity.
THE PRAYER: Dear Lord, I pray that
others may be brought to the Light, be washed of their sins and be
brought safely into heaven. May I do all I can to reflect Jesus' Light
to others. In His Name I ask it. Amen.
Pastor Ken Klaus
Lutheran Hour Ministries All rights reserved;
not to be duplicated without permission.
