Within hours of sailing, every cruise ship requires all travellers to report on deck for a muster drill. The crew instructs passengers about the location of the lifeboats, which ones to board, where life jackets can be found, and how to put them on correctly. This knowledge is shared as a safeguard, in case of an emergency.

  

Through the years, I’ve become aware of other lifesavers that keep me afloat during daily crises. A network of fellow believers – church, family and friends – lift me in prayer when I feel myself drowning in troubles. I trust a smaller circle of confidantes for thoughtful counsel when I need direction (Proverbs 27:9). And during desperate times, when my faith is lost in a fog of worries or depression, no life jacket fits as securely as the eternal, unconditional support of God’s word. Immersing myself in scripture keeps me from sinking. I can rejoice in the Bible’s life-saving power and the wisdom held between its covers, knowing that I am prepared.

Prayer: Dear God, lift us up with your word. Inspire us to reach out to others through prayer and loving service as we pray, ‘Father, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come. Give us each day our daily bread. Forgive us our sins, for we also forgive everyone who sins against us. And lead us not into temptation.’ Amen