Moby Dick

Nearly every English Speaking person in the world knows about the Hermann Melville noel, Moby Dick. For over sixty years it has been standard fare in American High School Literature classes. However, Moby Dick was not embraced by the world when it was written. The work; when published in 1851; was such a failure that its author eventually moved to New York and took a job as a customs agent.

In the 1920′s, about thirty years after Melville’s death, the world began to so appreciate the nuances and depth of Moby Dick that another; heretofore unpublished novel, Billy Budd was published and widely read.

The contemporary psyche, with its demands of instant gratification, could learn a valuable lesson from Melville. Much of the good we do is never known until we’ve passed from this existence to our eternal reward. Now is not the to quit, give up, or run away simply because one has not seen an immediate reward for his labors.

In the Christian life, we are taught to live our lives in such a way as to deflect praise from ourselves; but in reality when we don’t feel appreciated, we become distraught or embittered. Should you and I learn that our real purpose is simply to worship Holy God, and enjoy His eternal presence, we would not become distraught over the slights of this world.

I don’t pretend to know how Melville felt when he died without having experienced the appreciation those in later generations would have lavished upon him. But I do know that we, who serve Christ, have an eternal reward for our faithfulness. We may never know the extent of our success in life, but we can have confidence that each day is a day lived to bring honor and glory to Holy God. We can know that we are living each day focused on Him and His plan for our lives. We can face the challenging beginning of our lives with assurance that He who guides our steps will also light the path we are to travel. We can accept the middle years of life with appreciation for His provision, knowing that it is He who has brought us to this point. We can embrace the last years of life with the calm assurance that He stands ready to usher us into the great unknown of eternity.

I don’t know how you feel about where you are today; but my prayer is that you will allow Jesus Christ to be the “Boss” of your life. When He is “Boss,” there is a great sense of peace and joy, which cannot be manufactured, nor feigned.

If you don’t have real peace and joy, no matter your situation, then why don’t you cry out today to Jesus Christ who will draw you to Himself. It might be that God has brought you to this point just so you can hear His call. You see, you can’t come to Christ except He calls, and I’m convinced that He doesn’t always call. If you sense a need of Christ today, it is because He has touched your heart. Turn to Him, trust Him, He will change your heart and place within you the desire to follow and obey Him.