Aug
27
Stayed
Filed Under Devotional
I’m almost embarrassed to admit that I remember these scene clearly, but I have watched “Star Trek: The Motion Picture” more than a few times. It’s just not a good movie, but for whatever reason I’ve seen it repeatedly. Anyway, there’s a scene when the crew takes the newly refurbished Enterprise out for a spin and they attempt to go to warp speed. However, they accidentally create a wormhole and are being drawn inexorably toward an asteroid and everything seems to be moving in slow motion with cheesy early-80s graphics. It’s not until Kirk and Decker destroy the asteroid that things return to normal. Not focusing on the destination properly nearly destroyed the ship (of course, this movie nearly destroyed the entire franchise).
In Greek mythology, the Sirens were creatures that caused sailors to change course and shipwreck on their island. The warning to sailors was to no lose track of your destination. Don’t be drawn off course.
Peter walked on water as long as he was looking at Jesus. When he looked at the storm around him, he panicked and fell in. He lost focus on his destination.
The world is clamoring for our attention. The enemy would love nothing more to distract us and make us useless. Our flesh cries out for gratification. Our own willpower will never be sufficient to hold off these adversaries. It’s only with God that we can have the strength of will to resist.
“You will keep him in perfect peace,
Whose mind is stayed on You,
Because he trusts in You.” Isaiah 26:3
It’s when we let the mind drift and lose focus on our destination that we are in danger. You want to enjoy some real peace? Keep your mind “stayed” on Him.