LightGrams
May 14, 2026
Volume 30, Number 17
If all goes well, Andrew Bedwell of Scarisbrick, England will soon put out to sea from Newfoundland, Canada as he aims to cross the Atlantic Ocean. What makes this voyage noteworthy is that he would be doing so in the shortest boat ever, measuring only 3 feet, 10 inches in length.
The craft is named “Big C”, referring to his attempt to raise funds for cancer (the Big C) research. It’s a sophisticated vessel, equipped with solar panels and GPS navigation and communication equipment. That doesn’t mean the boat is guaranteed to make the journey. The company that built the boat to Bedwell’s specifications cautions that “Bedwell’s voyage will be nothing short of perilous”, as they noted the tendency of the Atlantic to be unpredictable and dangerous.
Bedwell is in for a challenge as he knows the 1,900 miles to Southampton, England will require 2-3 months at sea. But he is positive about his chances of breaking the old record of a transatlantic journey, set in 1993 in a boat that was 5 feet, 4 inches long.
There is nothing that stirs me to take on such a challenge as Mr. Bedwell. But I have to admit that I’m in the midst of a voyage across time. How much farther I have to go is not yet clear, but I know I’m closer to the end than I’ve ever been (something I can say each day). And I really should ask, how large is this vessel I’m using to get me to my desired location? The “vessel” I’m referring to is my faith in God. Paul used the image of “walk by faith” in 2 Corinthians 5:7; I’m using “sail by faith”.
Faith doesn’t have to be super-sized to be effective. Jesus said this in Matthew 17:20: “… I say to you, if you have faith as a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move; and nothing will be impossible for you.” The mustard seed is one of the tiniest seeds you can find; you can lose it in the crevices of your palm. Like that tiny seed, faith can produce amazing results, because the one in whom I have faith is able to do all things (see Genesis 18:14).
Does this mean that we can navigate life with the tiniest faith vessel possible? No, that’s not what Jesus was teaching. 2 Thessalonians 1:3 provides us with a worthy goal: “We are bound to thank God always for you, brethren, as it is fitting, because your faith grows exceedingly …” Those Christians knew that life is more manageable when our faith is enlarged.
Peter was enabled by Jesus to walk on water! He began sinking, though, “when he saw that the wind was boisterous” and was afraid. After Jesus lifted Peter to safety, He asked, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?” (Matthew 14:30,31). Will we begin to sink if we’re going about our lives in the tiniest amount of faith? Yes, we also are doing well if our “faith grows exceedingly”.
Here’s the application: “So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God” (Romans 10:17). Every day I need to be growing my faith; that will help ensure my journey will end safely.
Come to the light God offers! Study His word, the Bible. Worship Him in spirit and truth (John 4:24). Get in touch with us if you’d like to discuss these ideas further.
~~~~~
Copyright, 2026, Timothy D. Hall. All scripture quotations, unless otherwise noted, are from the New King James Version (Copyright, 1990, Thomas Nelson, Inc.).
“LightGrams” is produced by the Central Church of Christ, 2722 Oakland Avenue, Johnson City, Tennessee, 37601, and is written by Tim Hall, minister. It is sent free of charge every Thursday to all who request it. To subscribe or to receive more information, write to “Tim@GraceMine.org” (our E-mail address), to the U.S. mail address above, or call (423) 282-1571.
Permission to reproduce and/or use the messages for noncommercial purposes is freely granted provided the messages are not altered.