The Carnival, The Christ, and A Joyful Chorus

“[Jesus] got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, ‘Quiet! Be still!’ Then the wind died down and it was completely calm. He said to his disciples, ‘Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?’ They were terrified and asked each other, ‘Who is this? Even the wind and the waves obey him!’ ” (Mark 4:39-41)

This past Sunday morning—day three of a four-day cruise to Cozumel celebrating my parents-in-law’s 50th wedding anniversary—I walked out of the stateroom spiritually hungry and thirsty. In the midst of so much pleasure, aboard a ship aptly dubbed The Fantasy, I was eager for the reality of Christ-centered fellowship and a chance to praise the Master of the high seas...but aware that Carnival offered no such activity. Then I heard it. As I entered the ship’s grand atrium, a chorus of strong voices and piano rang out from a side room. It turned out that a large group of friends from West Monroe, Louisiana, had booked the room for a service. Welcomed in, my wife and I spent the next hour joining voice and heart in a powerful time of praise, prayer, and an encouraging message from the Scriptures about loving the Lord above all else. It didn’t matter that we’d never met, or that we happened to be the only “Caucasians” in the room, or that we probably would never see these brethren again. The spiritual bond was instantaneous, and we were reminded that there are no strangers in God’s kingdom! This hour proved to be one of the highlights of our vacation—a great gift from a gracious Father.

“Then I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and on the sea, and all that is in them, singing: ‘To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be praise and honor and glory and power, for ever and ever!’ ” (Revelation 5:13)

Heavenly Father, Master of the land and of the sea, thank you for surprising us at times with opportunities to praise and exalt you, no matter where we find ourselves. Continue to receive our praise and gratitude as we seek to glorify Your name in all that we think, say and do. Amen.