A Rescue Mission
This is a continuation of the post When the Storm Comes
Two Weeks Before the Sinking
A net filled with wooden barrels swung like a pendulum from the dock to the waiting ship. A man carrying a seabag strolled along the dock. Unaware of the danger he wandered into the path of the soaring projectile.
“Hey! Watch yourself!” a dock worker called out.
The absentminded seaman ducked just in time to avoid the heavy load striking his head.
“You’ll lose your head if you’re not careful,” the worker warned.
The roar of laughter rose from the gang of workers.
The port was a bustling place with hundreds of laborers loading ships ready to depart and unloading others as they arrived.
The seaman stopped when he found the ship he was searching for. His face was clean shaven except for a pair of dark sideburns. He wore a black coat and a cap with no brim. He glanced overhead for additional hazards that might end his voyage before it even started. Then he scampered up the gangplank onto the deck of The White Dove. There a trio of sailors tugged on a guide rope to direct the cargo net as if they were taming a wild horse. When it was under control, the men at the hoist lowered it down into the ship’s hold.
The seaman approached the officer overseeing the loading of the ship. The officer was a burly man with a beard so thick that it covered his entire mouth.
“Sir, Josiah London reporting,” the seaman interrupted.
“London? You must be the new chap. Store your gear and get to work in the hold.
“Aye Aye!”
After Josiah dropped off his seabag he climbed down the ladder into the ship’s hold. There the light was dim and the air stuffy. As each cargo net dropped into the hold Josiah and four other sailors tore open the net and rolled the heavy barrels out. They stacked the barrels into tight rows to keep them from shifting about when the ship was at sea. The worked carried on without a moments rest. Josiah labored until his muscles grew sore and his hands blistered.
Finally, a voice shouted from the deck above, “Last one!”
Josiah and the other exhausted men dragged themselves out of the hold. The space that was empty just hours before was now packet with cargo. On deck Josiah was glad to feel the afternoon sun on his face and to fill his lungs with fresh air.
At supper Josiah sat down with his shipmates.
A young sailor across the table introduced himself, “Bart’s my name.”
“It’s a pleasure. I’m Josiah.”
When the two sailors exchanged a handshake, Josiah felt the firm grip and hard callouses covering the palm of Bart’s hand.
“I haven’t seen you before,” Bart eyed his new acquaintance. “Where abouts are you from?”
Josiah gulped down a spoonful of stew, “I’m from a small town far from here. I’m sure you’ve never heard of it.”
“Oh?” Bart studied the new shipmate with a raised eyebrow.
“How about you? Where do you call home?” asked Josiah.
“I’m the same as you mate. I don’t really have a home, except for the ship under my feet. Ever since I left the orphanage I’ve lived at sea. I started as a cabin boy, and years later, here I am.”
“When will we be getting under way?”
“From what I’ve heard, we’ll be setting sail early tomorrow morning.”
“Have the passengers boarded yet?” asked Josiah.
“Right. I’d heard there’ll be some folks traveling with us, but I haven’t seen them.”
Early the following morning the ship bustled with activity; dock lines were cast off while sailors hoisted a select few sails at the rear of the ship. The wind gently pushed the ship away from the dock. Josiah took his position at the bow and waited. When the captain gave the order, Josiah and a team of seamen set the foresails. The ship rotated ninety degrees and then sailed with the retreating tide toward the mouth of the harbor.
Josiah coiled a length of rope when he noticed two boys staring up at the ship’s rigging.
“Good morning boys. Is this your first voyage?”
“Yes sir,” a boy with curly hair and freckles stepped forward.
“My name’s Josiah.”
“I’m Eli and this is Patrick.”
“Welcome aboard The White Dove.” Josiah said with a smile.
“Patrick and I were watching the men work the sails,” Eli pointed up at the tall mast. “Is it frightening climbing up there?”
“Are either of you afraid of high places?” Josiah asked.
Both Eli and Patrick shook their heads.
“Follow me.”
Josiah led his new friends up the ratlines to a small wooden platform called the fore top.
“Wow, this is amazing!” Eli exclaimed.
“You can see for miles up here,” Patrick added.
Josiah sat with the boys, giving them a sailing lesson. When the ship reached the mouth of the harbor, he sent them down to the safety of the deck.
“You boys head down now. You don’t want to be in the way when we set square sails.”
Just as Eli’s and Patrick’s feet hit the deck, the captain barked a series of orders. A team of seamen scrambled up the rigging while others played tug-o-war with the ropes. Within minutes nearly every sail was bellowing in the wind. As the vessel picked up speed the familiar shore retreated into the distance until it disappeared completely.
Two weeks after boarding the ship Josiah sat in his swaying hammock. The sun had set, and his watch was over. He pondered his mission, the very reason he was on the voyage. In his mind he listed the things he must do when the storm comes. It was important that he get everything right. He remembered back before he boarded the ship, to the time when he was called to this mission.
Josiah was glowing, as if a stream of energy ran through him. He rested quietly reflecting on what he had just experienced. Even though he had served in the throne room countless times it seemed each time was better than the last. The angelic choir was too beautiful for words. The dazzling brilliance of living rainbows were beyond human imagination. Josiah felt for those who have never experienced the glory of the throne room but rested in the fact that one day anyone who chose to would be welcomed.
While the sights and sounds were incredible, the true source of joy came from the One on the throne and the One seated at His right hand. Entering the Lord’s presence was like nothing in all creation. It was a peace that surpassed all understanding.
“Josiah,” a familiar voice called.
“Yes Michael.”
“The Lord has a mission for you.”
“Of course, what is it?”
“You are to take on human form,” the archangel explained. “You will board a ship named The White Dove as a common sailor. Two weeks into the voyage the ship will encounter a storm. There will be children aboard the ship. It is vital the children are not harmed. The Lord has a special purpose for their lives. Do you understand.”
“Yes, of course. At what point should I return?”
“That is up to you. The important thing is that the children are not lost with the ship.”
“I am the Lord’s servant. I will make sure His will is carried out.”
“All hands on deck!”
Josiah leaped from his hammock and rushed to the main deck.
The ship rocked violently as the storm gathered strength. As soon as he reached the deck a wave crashed over him, knocking him off his feet. He jumped up and began searching for the passengers. When he found Eli and Patrick he dragged them to a lifeboat and then went to find the other children. A pair of seamen fought with the heavy boat but were unable to keep it from breaking lose. A wave ripped the boat from the lines and swept it away.
Josiah returned with the others and instructed them, “Stay together.”
Moments later the ship plunged beneath the waves, taking Josiah with it.
To be continued…
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look up these interesting verses that speak of angels
Read Psalm 103:20-22
Hebrews 1:14
Hebrews 13:1-2