Years ago, off a dangerous seacoast, there was a crude little lifesaving station. It was just a hut, with only one boat and a voluntary crew that kept a constant watch for victims of shipwrecks. Many lives were saved. Some of those who were saved and others, wanted to give their time and money to help. And so, the little lifesaving station grew.

But, some of the members became unhappy with the crude building. They replaced the cots with beds and put better furniture in the enlarged elaborately decorated building. The lifesaving station became sort of a club. Fewer members were interested in going to sea on lifesaving missions. They hired lifeboat crews to do this work.

About this time a large ship was wrecked and the hired crews brought in boatloads of cold, dirty, bloody, and half-drowned people. The beautiful new club was in chaos. Members complained about the strange people of all colors of skin, some speaking foreign languages. “They are making a mess of this place— blood got on the carpet, some spilled milk on the pew, e-r-r chair.”

At the next meeting a big battle ensued, and there was a split in the membership. Some wanted to stop the lifesaving work because it was unpleasant and a hindrance to the normal social life of the club. Other insisted that lifesaving was their primary purpose. However, they were voted down and told that if they wanted to save lives, they could move on down the coast and begin their own little lifesaving station. And so they did . . .

As years went by, the new station experienced the same problems. It evolved into a club and another little lifesaving station was started. History continued to repeat itself. Today, if you visit the area, you will find several exclusive clubs dotting that seacoast. Shipwrecks still occur, but most of the victims drown. —Adapted

This may be like many churches today. Are we so involved in worldly trappings that we fail to see shipwrecked souls? Jesus said that our mission is to save lost souls. He did not come to entertain us. “For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost,” Luke 19:10.

Whoever reads this, we love you and God loves you. If you have questions or comments, contact Ivy at ivyconner@gmail.com or his website www.biblestudybooksbyivy.com or (361) 343‑2778. You’re invited to listen to Ivy and call-in on “Get Real,” America on Saturdays from 9 p.m. to midnight by going to www.thewordfm.com and clicking on “Listen Live”.