Ellen Mac Arthur’s extraordinary achievement in becoming the fastest sailor in history to circumnavigate the globe in a wind driven yacht, will surely never be forgotten.

It’s been said that ships are like people. We celebrate their launch from berth, and mourn their death! A Bible text says, “There go the ships”. [ Psalm 104:26 ] Ships are made to go and we are made to go for God! He is our Maker and Owner so it’s wrong to go our own way instead of our Owner’s way.

The voyage of life is full of ups and downs. Like Ellen we often face hardships, loneliness and depression but she always spoke about “we”. It was Ellen and her boat! Happily we do not need to sail entirely solo through life’s storms. If we take Jesus on board He will supply us with power, guidance and protection. Once when Jesus was in a boat in a storm with some disciples He was in the stern, the place of control where the rudder is. This reminds us that whatever our situation He is always in control. When the disciples cried to Him for help He immediately calmed the wind and the waves. Millions have proved that when they have prayed to Him, He has brought calm to their troubled souls.

When Ellen arrived in Falmouth, her overwhelming joy made all her trials feel worthwhile. The problem was that during the voyage she never knew whether she would arrive safely! Happily when we have Jesus with us as our Lord and Saviour it’s absolutely certain that one day we shall land safely in the heavenly harbour.

The Christian life is like a race. St. Paul wrote, “I have fought a good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Finally there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness.” [ 2 Timothy 4:7-8 ]