January 10, 2023
A Collision Course with Light
“There was the true Light which, coming into the world, enlightens every man. He was in the world, and the world was made through Him, and the world did not know Him.” John 1:9-10 (NASB)
There is a fabled story of an US Navy ship and Canadian authorities. Although this story is not true, it lends some interesting truth into God’s Word today.
This is the transcript of a fabled radio conversation of a US naval ship with Canadian authorities off the coast of Newfoundland in October 1995. Radio conversation released by the Chief of Naval Operations 10-10-95.
Americans: Please divert your course 15 degrees to the North to avoid a Collision.
Canadians: Recommend you divert YOUR course 15 degrees to the South to avoid a collision.
Americans: This is the Captain of a US Navy ship. I say again, divert YOUR course.
Canadians: No. I say again, you divert YOUR course.
Americans: This is the aircraft carrier USS Lincoln, the second largest ship in the United States’ Atlantic fleet. We are accompanied by three destroyers, three cruisers and numerous support vessels. I demand that YOU change your course 15 degrees north, that’s one five degrees north, or countermeasures will be undertaken to ensure the safety of this ship.
Canadians: This is a lighthouse. Your call.[1]
This fictional story, as funny as it might seem, is still true in principle in many respects. Just as the aircraft carrier did not recognize the lighthouse, so man does not recognize the incarnate Logos. Although man might try to refuse or fail to recognize him, He is the One who created the world that man lives. Just as the captain of the vessel did not recognize a fixed land mass in his direction, so too mankind refuses to acknowledge that Jesus is the fixed principle within this world. Nothing can change either of these two truths (the land mass or Jesus Christ). One is illustrated by this story and the other by God’s Word.
I have heard this story many times and can’t understand why the aircraft carrier could not recognize the lighthouse beam which continued to turn in circles (representative of a lighthouse’ beacon). Maybe it is because they felt their course was more important than that of the lighthouse (pride). As you look at your life today, would you consider recognizing the course your life is presently on? Is Jesus at the helm? Or are you on a collision course with an immovable object or principle because of your personal desires or stubbornness? I can guarantee the captain of that ship would harm more than himself in a collision with land. The ship he once commanded would have a new commander at the helm, after it undertook extensive repairs. When we have collisions by our own stubbornness and desires, we end up hurting some the people closest to us because we didn’t recognize the danger. This is because we denied or refused to see God’s involvement in our lives. So, look to the Light today!
[1] https://www.britishpathe.com/gallery/urban-legend/2