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HOW TO SPOIL A JOY
RIDE
Joy
rides are usually exciting events. New sights and
new horizons open up a brand new world. Whether
you go by train, bus, car, plane or by boat, a few hours of
transportation can change your entire outlook.
Speedy travel soon turns the treeless prairies into the rugged
panorama of snow-capped mountains. It exchanges
the sound of the wind rustling the grass for the awesome noise
of cataracts tumultuously surging through rocky gorges as the
water swirls to the sea. Travel acquaints you with
the forest abounding with wild animals or it brings you to
beautiful lakes teeming with fish. Travel
transplants you by the seaside where the might ocean tides
ceaselessly beat upon the rock-ribbed coastlines and pleasant
beaches. How could anyone possibly ruin a
joy ride? Let’s interview Captain Bishop as he
relates his experience.
Captain Bishop began his
career on the Sea of Life by operating small craft around the
more sheltered coves and inlets. His ferry carried
a constant stream of passengers from Pillar to Post across a
troublesome stretch of water that separated these two
neighboring ports. He was well equipped to sail
the Sea of Life, but he lacked any incentive to sail from
shore without a purposeful destination. One day he
was startled to hear an SOS crackle over the air waves from
the liner Doldrums, which was lying at anchor not far from the
Financial Rocks. Its Captain, Pat Knumbskull had
been given quite a beating by several of the passengers the
night before, so he deserted the ship without
warning. The desperate nature of their plight was
further accentuated by a weather forecast of a gathering
storm, which might drive them on the rocks, which were the
graveyard of many a similar vessel before. Captain
Bishop answered the call and was soon installed with a good
guaranteed salary and strict orders to transport all the
passengers safely to Celestial Harbor. The Bishop
was delighted with the honor and devoted himself without delay
to his task.
Captain Bishop soon discovered that
the passengers owned the Doldrums, which was a semi-luxury
liner. He found it well stocked with provisions
and plenty of amusements for relaxation and
leisure. Although there were life boats, he could
see they had never been used. The passengers on
the Doldrums had never launched a life-boat nor rescued anyone
from drowning. After buying the boat and hiring
the Captain they felt their duty was done.
When
Captain Bishop became hungry, he went to the kitchen to see
how things were progressing…only to discover that the
passengers had counted on him to make the meals and serve them
in the dining salon. During a minor storm the
Captain became aware that the ship was slowing down
noticeably, so he went to the engine room to
investigate. Only then did he discover that the
passengers had not provided any engine crew, for they expected
him to fire the boilers. Needless to say, when the
Captain finished this chore, they were considerably off course
and they suffered great loss of time, from going in
circles. The passengers were somewhat indignant
over the Captain’s inability to cope with the
problem.
Complaints began to multiply because it
was felt that Captain Bishop didn’t spend enough time visiting
with the passengers and praying for those who got
seasick. Mr. Noah Count complained that the boat
had been on the high seas for two months and the Captain had
not even visited him yet. Bill Payer was furious
because the only time the Captain spoke to him was to thank
him for his check. The Doldrums passed a small
boat, which had capsized…with the loss of all hands, but by
the time Captain Bishop heard of the disaster it was too late
to throw a life line or launch a lifeboat. Some
passengers witnessed the tragedy, but they said, “They knew
that would happen to them, and it served them
right.” Captain Bishop began to have
apprehensions! However, he resolved to do a better job
or die in the attempt. He almost died!
Some
of the passengers noticed that their Captain was looking pale
and haggard as he served the meals from the
kitchen. One remarked that the food wasn’t as good
as it used to be. Another remarked that they had
been on the Joy Ride for a year and could still see the
Financial Rocks---how long will it take to reach the Celestial
Harbor at this rate? There were complaints of
incompetence. A suggestion was made that they
steer a course toward Port Weary and try to hire a new Captain
because it was plain they weren’t getting any
place. Captain Bishop was aware that a storm was
brewing, which amounted to mutiny, and that stern action must
be resolutely taken to save the ship. He must put
more men to work or ruin the joy ride. If he
continued to do everything himself they would never get off
the rocks. He dropped anchor and was surprised to
find the water so shallow. One more storm---and
the rocks! Something had to be done at
once.
Captain Bishop called a council of his most
trusted advisors. He reviewed the ship’s log with
them, concealing nothing and blaming no one. He
said, “Our bills are paid, our provisions are adequate and
we’re seaworthy. But we have rescued no one and
have never even used the lifeboats. Do you want me
to keep on oiling the machinery and serving the meals or do
you want me to stay by the rudder and keep our course on the
fixed stars? Perhaps we’re doing well, but do you
think we’re doing well enough?” After a pause,
Phil Gayball quipped, “No runs, no hits; no
errors.” “And nobody left on,” said the Captain in
self censure.
“I have a plan and I know it will
succeed, if you will accept it. I will turn all my
passengers into crew members. I’ll handle the
rudder, but Mr. Trusty will be expected to keep the machinery
oiled and oversee the engine room. Bill Payer will
present a chart to ensure our reaching the sound Budget so
there’s no danger of being wreaked on the reef of Financial
Rocks. A standing committee will plan the social
contacts and report on seasickness. Deacon Wright
Hand will take over rescue operations and train a crew to man
the lifeboats. Miss Nimble will take care of
correspondence, while Miss Treble will look after music and
entertainment. We’ll put Benny Fitz in charge of
the youth program to provide training for them on the Sea of
Life. Let’s see now? Oh yes, Noah
Count, where is he?” asked the Captain. “Oh, he left the
ship back a ways. He didn’t like the new
discipline,” volunteered someone. “I hadn’t missed
him,” said the Captain with a wry smile. “Now, for
action...!”
Although some of the men shook their
heads, the majority began to roll up their
sleeves. A few complained that because they paid
the Captain their fare it was not right to expect them to
work, besides. But almost all agreed that the fare
only covered the cost of their transit. There was
still the infinite obligation, incurred in their own
rescue. If their lack of willingness to help would
cause the ship to founder, they would all suffer in the
loss. Slowly the Doldrums became a hive of
activity. The passengers began to praise their
Captain for his courageous leadership and suggested that he
should be made an Admiral. This new surge of
purpose, changed the entire outlook. The harbor of
Celestial City was more than a hazy dream or a pious
hope. It was HOME.
The Doldrums could
be any church and Captain Bishop could be anyone of thousands
of frustrated preachers trying to “do it all.” The
difference between success and failure is often a very fine
line. Good preachers can’t be bought.
More often they’re made rather then hired. Good
congregations are more often the fruit of being matured into
working fellowships rather then the outgrowth of a parade of
capable speakers. The Doldrums has changed its
name to the Bluesky, because it is conscious of limitless
possibilities. Its lifeboats are often in
use its luxury equipment has been replaced by an
arsenal of life saving devices and the hospital and nursery
look more like an armory. Captain Bishop works as
hard as ever, but he is relaxed and confident. He
no longer refers to his crew as passengers---that almost
ruined the joy ride, in fact, it almost wreaked the
boat. Now, they’re members of the crew working
WITH their Captain. The Bluesky is embarked on a
Joy Ride. It has an appointment with
Destiny.
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