My husband and I recently had the privilege to go on an Alaskan cruise.

Our ship churned its way over mind-boggling, vast, and deep expanses of ocean water. Whales forty feet long and forty tons in weight swam nearby, looking small in comparison. A seemingly endless array of mountains of varying heights lined the coast wherever we turned, some tree-covered and others snow-capped. As I gazed in awe of it all, I wondered how anyone could not see the glory of God in it.

We were on board with 1,898 other people. A sea of faces moved past us and bumped into us for 9 days. How many, I wondered, believed in the One who created it all? How many were convinced it was all a monumental accident?

Being captive on a boat, be it large, with that many people, can be noisy, busy and a bit overwhelming for a couple of introverts like my husband and I. Finding a place to read or find peace and quiet was a challenge. It was easy to get irritated and begin to grumble.

Then the Lord opened my eyes to see the sea of faces that whirled around us each day. When I took my eyes off myself and my own wants, I saw not a crowd but individuals. As I began to look into each face, I wondered where their hope was, and what were they looking to for it.

I began to pray for the faces around me and listen. I was encouraged to learn of others who knew the Lord and believed in prayer, but the majority were focused on getting all they could out of this present life. Many spent most of their time gambling in the casino, drinking, eating and being entertained when all they had to do was step out onto the deck and be awed by the hand of the Creator.

Yet, this is how many live their life every day. And how often do we as believers in the One, go about our lives only seeing other bodies and not faces or individuals in need? Lord, forgive me!

In our busy lives, we need to take notice of those around us and pray for them. They may be strangers to us but they are not to God. As C.S. Lewis said in The Weight of Glory, “There are no ordinary people.” We have never seen or spoken to a mere mortal. The world is full of immortal beings. What kind is the question Our simple prayer for one of these immortal beings, whether as they pass by or one on one, might be the difference between eternal life and eternal death.

May we live our lives with eyes for eternal life. Ours as well as others. Let us pray for and encourage one another in it.

You are loved, Sisters!

Be well!

Patricia