After nearly completing his first overseas cruise, a young ensign was given an opportunity to display his capabilities at getting the ship under way.

With a stream of commands, he had the decks buzzing with men and soon the ship was steaming out the channel en route to the states.

His efficiency established a new record for getting a ship under way, so he was not surprised when a seaman approached him with a message from the captain.

Strangely though, it was a radio message and it read: “My personal congratulations to you upon completing your underway preparation exercise according to the book and with amazing speed. In your haste, however, you have overlooked one of the unwritten rules—make sure the captain is aboard before getting under way.”

We may think our lives are in order. We may have them managed them to a tee and people may wish they were us—our businesses are prospering, our kids are doing well in school, our marriage is sweeter than ever.

But if the Captain is not on board, at some point, we’re going to have to head back and start again.

Let’s make sure the Lord is on board our lives today. There’s so much more we can do when He is!

For it became him, for whom are all things, and by whom are all things, in bringing many sons unto glory, to make the captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings. For both he that sanctifieth and they who are sanctified are all of one: for which cause he is not ashamed to call them brethren. Hebrews 2:10-11

–by George Whitten of Worthy Ministries