The Rainbow Warrior II is the flagship of the Green Peace party. It travels the seven seas on a crusade against all those who would dare harm the environment.
Ship of Help
Rainbow Warrior II is always on the lookout for those who slaughter whales, murder baby seals, dump raw sewage into the ocean or litter the earth’s waterways.
On a mission in 2006 the Rainbow warrior II ran aground on a reef. This mission was to study the effects of global warming upon the coral reefs off the coast of the Philippines. This inflicted significant and irreparable damage on the eco-zone.
This was no isolated incident. In August 1994 the Columbus Iselin, was doing environmental work in the Looe Key National Marine Sanctuary off the Florida Keys.
Its mission was to determine the harmful effects of oil spills on the Florida coastal ecosystem specifically its coral reefs. Unfortunately, the Columbus Iselin ran aground on the reef. This event punctured its fuel tanks and spilled two hundred gallons of diesel fuel.
Efforts to free the ship from the reef only exacerbated the problem. Huge chunks of living coral were broken off as the ship was pulled free of the reef. Large plumes of sand, generated by the ship’s propellers, buried portions of the reef.
The Shimohetsugi Fire Department in southern Japan was celebrating the final day of its “Fire Awareness Week” observance with a barbeque when disaster struck.
The fuel tank for the gas grill was improperly connected and triggered a fire—in the fire station! There were no fatalities. But consequently, the two-story fire station was destroyed.
There is nothing wrong with crusading against evil. But we must begin the crusade in our own backyards, lives and hearts.
Paul the apostle stressed that in his preaching to others he was careful to discipline himself so that, “while preaching to others, I myself may be disqualified”. (1 Corinthians 9:24–27)
PRAYER:
Dear Father in heaven, please grant that my sermon to this world will begin in my own heart, lifestyle, and actions. Help me to glorify you, O Lord, in my thoughts, words and deeds. Amen.
