Full Throttle

 

 

"I'm not afraid of storms, for I'm learning how to sail my ship."

- Louisa May Alcott, 1800's novelist

 

 

The Disney film Finest Hours tells the true story of the greatest coast guard rescue in history, it happened in February 1952. Despite an enormous storm and against all odds, Bernie Webber and 3 of his crew go out on a lifeboat to rescue some sailors of an oil tanker caught in the storm off the Eastern seaboard.

 

The crew could have traveled a distance for a bigger coast guard boat, but settled on a quick solution since the rescue operation was near them; even if it was deemed impossible with the torrential snow, wind, cold and high winds. When they first tackled a gigantic wave to cross over a sandbar that everyone thought was impassable, my first thought was reminiscent of my first time out far in the middle of the Pacific ocean.

 

Three years ago we went on a whale watching tour in San Diego. The boat was bigger than a lifeboat, a boat that carried about 50-60 tourists. They took us for a ride about an hour and a half out to sea. While traveling out there, I was anxious to video tape and photograph much of the amazing scenery, but that wasn't to be. Once we got out to sea far from shore it was a bumpy ride on choppy waters, where we had to hold on for dear life. A couple tourists got sea sick and a child vomited. What I did not realize was the ride was going to be choppy because we were going against the current out to sea. Needless to say, the ride back into shore was smooth because we were riding with the current.

 

When Bernie and his crew got farther out to sea, the waves became bigger and he had to full throttle it to get over the waves. What raced through my mind while watching this film was all the storms in life we have to face. I can look back at many of the storms I faced and can honestly say I didn't

full throttle my faith. But, I did have someone standing behind me pushing me through every step of the way. For believers, we are told many times in scripture to full throttle our faith forward when facing storms, trusting in the One who is always there for us. Graham Cooke has a great perspective,

 

"Sometimes an obstacle is placed in front of us by God for the purpose of upgrading our vision and experiencing our dream at a higher level. To get above any problem, we must see it from a different height. We need the viewpoint from where God is standing."

 

Obstacles, or storms, are for our good if we approach them the way God intends for them to be, to build our faith.

 

Before Bernie went out on this daring rescue operation, the story tells us of his relationship with Miriam. The two of them plan to get married in April, but when Miriam finds out Bernie's captain has sent him out for this daring rescue, Miriam thinks this is a suicide mission. She tries to coerce the coast guard commander to call them back in.

 

This is the first daring rescue Bernie has had to make while being in a relationship with Miriam. In the story you kind of get the feeling that Miriam is clueless on what Bernie's job entails, and that if she is going to marry him, she will have to go through many traumatic events like this within their marriage.

 

Once the rescue operation is complete, and Bernie and his crew save 32 men in one of the most horrendous storms, Miriam's faith  has been elevated. She saw how Bernie prevailed in the most trying circumstances.

 

The storm elevated Miriam's faith to where she and Bernie would stay married for 58 years. Bernie Webber passed away in 2009.

 

The storms in life you face can either make you or break you. It's all up to you, how you approach them, and who you trust in. Remember, the Greater One that lives in you will never leave you nor forsake you.