In yesterday’s article, ‘More than a Concept’ I used the
second definition* of ‘religion’ in the Concise Oxford English Dictionary to
make the case that active, keen sailors are religious. Their religion is
‘sailing’. They adore their boats and often devote hours of loving attention to
them. In some instances they sometimes part with cash to the degree of making sacrificial
offerings for the glory of the vessels they worship. They willingly suffer as
paupers to see their prized yachts in pristine condition, ready and able to
perform the task for which they were made, i.e., sailing. For these worshippers,
adoration is a satisfying experience, but their greatest joy comes from sailing
the objects of their adoration.
Worship springs from a desire within. The object or god worshiped
is cherished and admired. There’s a voluntary and willing response on the part
of the worshipper. In the case of a boat being the object of worship, there is
no reciprocal response, for ‘she’ does not have life, but in the case of the One
and only living God, because He has life He can respond. Indeed, He can
initiate and solicit a response from a would-be worshipper. This is the way of
the God of the Universe who calls all men
and women to worship Him.
*‘a pursuit or
interest followed with great devotion.’
Matthew 11:28 ‘Come to
Me, all you who labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.’
Links – Related
articles
Setbacks and Perseverance
The Purist Sailor
‘Faith’ Building
Yachting a Religion?
What sets us apart from Animals? Is it Boats?
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