“Ahhh!” This was not easy. Captain Walkins paced up and down – his anxiety was beginning to show and he was truly wondering if he was in over his head. “Alright team, group up,” his rusty voice commanded.
The cadets came together, sweating, looks of exhaustion etched on some faces. “The relief drive is going well, lots of contributions, but tomorrow is the big day when we distribute the items. See you at 0600 hours.” He dismissed the troops and they went to their assigned tents.
His cadet force had found themselves in the midst of a disaster whilst on retreat. Their trip abroad had seemed like it would not come off, given the bad weather this island was expecting. Then it was announced that the hurricane had shifted path. But by the time Captain Walkins caught himself, he and the team were already on the remote island, and the storm, though downgraded, was still reasonably sized and heading their way.
Being cadets, they did what they were trained to do – battle down, survive the storm and be the first responders. It was a good thing they brought some extra supplies. Still, it seemed like a drop in the bucket, given the need.
Captain Walkins was hoping for a more peaceful trip. He had planned to let the senior cadets more or less take charge of things under the watchful eye of Commander Griffith, but here he was on a ‘working retreat’. Well, he signed up for this life of service, and besides, when he saw the grateful faces of the residents that would be all the thanks he needed.
At 0530 hours Captain Walkins prepared himself to go to the meeting place. Most of the team were already there. He needed this time to think, for the rest of the day would be hectic. The team assembled and a member responsible for the morning reflection said a few words, “As we embark on this day, let us be safe, let us be focused, let us take charge of the task ahead and thank You for this chance to serve.”
As the sun rose, the affected residents poured in. They thankfully received supplies as well as basic first aid care. Captain Walkins found out about some more ways they could be of assistance and planned the rest of the activities for the retreat. After a long day’s work, seated on a rock he nodded approvingly and said, “Ah boy, I must have some reward in Heaven waiting for me!”
His next-in-command, Commander Griffith, smiled, “If only it worked like that…”
“What do you mean?” asked Captain Walkins.
“Don’t get me wrong, doing good has its blessings here on earth, it has its rewards. But being good… now that is the real McCoy.”
“So how much more good can I be?” asked an exasperated Captain Walkins?
He had grown up with the philosophy of ‘What you do, happens to you’. He even heard that it was in a few religious texts, and so far it worked well for him.
“You cannot be good on your own. Only Jesus can do that. That’s why He came to earth.”
“Hmph,” replied Captain Walkins. “You mean no matter how much good I do, I am never good enough?”
“Correct! Only Jesus can make us holy and clean. Matter of fact, he said all our righteousness and good deeds are like filthy, dirty rags.” (Isaiah 64:6)
Captain Walkins’ facial expression changed. Here he was, a well-decorated officer, with many medals to his name. After 30-something years of service, his inferior was telling him that he was missing it big time. Something about He ‘needed Jesus.’
“Things are good with me, and I still need God? I am a God-fearing man. I go to worship once I can. I give thanks for the food I eat, and the troops I lead. What more do I have to do for this God? What more does Jesus require of me?”
Commander Griffith smiled, “Commitment – something you and I know a lot about. He wants you to commit your soul and life to His charge. He gave His Son Jesus, to wipe away your sins. Once you accept Him, you’ll live forever with Him. You’ll be covered in His righteousness, made clean by Him. Then your good deeds would just be proof of Him working in you, and you’ll know that without Him you can do nothing.” (John 15:5)
Captain Walkins considered the situation. Sure, he could use an extra helping hand on this trip, but apart from that, he was fine, at least for this life. But what if Commander Griffith was right? What if being a good person was not be enough for Heaven?
Then again, Commander Griffith was mis-guided, one of those religious folks who attributed weather phenomena like hurricanes to God, famines to ‘last days’ and crime to a lack of prayer. Institutes like cadets helped young people become better, and he was sure he was making a difference, as several of the young men in his unit came from crime-ridden neighbourhoods.
“To each his own.” Captain Walkins replied.
“Yes Sir. See you at 0600 hours tomorrow,” Commander Griffith said as he left.
Captain Walkins thought to himself, ‘What a crazy idea. How could God not recognise what I’ve done? I’ve never hit my wife, I was there for my children giving them a good education, and I even personally sponsored the fare for one of the cadets on this retreat. And the list goes on.’
“I want to be a good person, and I’m more or less there,” he mumbled.
Captain Walkins was set. He was doing the best he could on his own, and he would not be thrown off by Commander Griffith’s religious theories. He went to sleep that night with a satisfied heart trusting that his good deeds would be paid back some day.
That night the leaves rustled and branches bent low. Thunder roared across the island as flashes of lightning lit up the sky. It turned out that the weather had not yet settled down. A snap, a crash, and Commander Griffith awoke to the sight of a large tree branch on top of Captain Walkins’ tent. He called out to him, but there was no response. He managed to climb over the branch and reach Captain Walkins’ side, but his carotid pulse was already weak and thready. The island’s emergency response system was even worse off now in the aftermath of the storm. Commander Griffith knew this was probably the end of Captain Walkins’ life. Captain Walkins’ stepped into eternity that night, with good deeds but no Jesus in his heart, hoping it was enough.
Reflection:
The word of God cannot lie. God promises that only those who know Him will live forever with Him. Jesus’ request of “follow me” in Matthew 19:21 still holds. Saying prayers and reading religious books (including the Bible) does not equal to knowing God. Inviting Jesus to live in your heart is the place to start. Afterwards God will guide your life, and when it ends you will live with Him forever. Know God today, because you do not know what tomorrow may bring.
Lord Jesus, I want to know You. I’ve tried to be good enough on my own and I realise now that it is not enough by your standards. Forgive me of all my sins, and live and reign in me. My delight and boast will be in You alone from now on. Help me live for you, in Jesus name. Amen.
