Ernest Smith

Two weeks ago, Sara and I decided to take a cruise to the Bahamas.  The timing was right.  The price was right.  The  weather was…okay…could have been a bit warmer.  Although Charleston has a cruise port, we decided to leave out of Jacksonville, FL.  So we drove down the four hours, got on the cruise and began to set sail.

Three days into the cruise, I began to write down some thoughts regarding what God was teaching me while on the  cruise.  I thought I would share these thoughts with you.  So here ya go…4 lessons from a cruise boat.

1.  Many Westerners believe that traveling “overseas” causes serious health challenges

While we were not technically “overseas” in the sense of being in another country or on another continent, we were in a different place.  The Bahamas may not be the most developed country, but it also isn’t one of the worst places, however, there were many westerners who thought that anything they saw could cause disease, even death.

We were riding in a bus with a bunch of people from the cruise ship while on one of the islands.  As we were traveling, I heard some commotion in the seat behind me and as I turned around I noticed a guy who was panicking to keep some  type of bee/yellow jacket from getting to him and the other passengers. Although I marveled at the guy’s desire to protect us, it was what came out of his mouth that shocked me.  In the process of being the bee whisperer, we said “this bee will  probably give us a nasty disease.”  Now, I don’t know a ton about bees, but I doubt that bee would have given us a nasty disease, but I guess that is what you say when you are in another “country.” 🙂

2.  Photo ID is essential

Don’t ask….thanks Mom for getting us on the boat!

3.  When you are a pastor and someone asks what you do for a living at dinner or breakfast, reactions will vary

I had a lot of God-ordained moments on the cruise.  We met some great new friends, as well as people we will probably never see again.  However, each new conversation had the potential for a great, long discussion or it was going to end with “oh, that’s nice”, with the other person quickly departing.  I guess that is the way this profession works. 🙂

4.  Always be open to God ordained moments

God showed me over and over on this cruise that ministry doesn’t happen in the confines of an office.  God can and does use counseling appointments and scheduled meetings to change hearts and lives; however, he is not limited to those settings.

There were countless times on the trip that God gave me opportunities for ministry.  He didn’t force me into any; He  simply gave me the opportunity and trusted that I would walk where He was leading me.  Whether it was counseling a couple who was struggling with the past, having “church” services with multiple couples that we grew to respect and love, or sharing the truth about Jesus to a 85 year-old agnostic, God gave me the opportunities and it was up to me to be His hands and feet.

I know this trip was designed for Sara and I to have a great time together before a second child enters into our lives, and that mission was accomplished, however, God always seems to do above and beyond all we can ask or imagine (Ephesians 3:20).  I am thankful that I serve a God who teaches us in every moment of life, even when we are on vacation.