LightGrams
July 3, 2025
Volume 29, Number 20
Zara Lachlan was 21 years old when she announced her plan to row across the Atlantic Ocean. That announcement came on July 2, 2024, and on October 27 she put into sea at Lagos, Portugal. She completed her quest in 97 days, spending an average of 17 hours a day rowing, eventually landing at Cayenne, French Guinea, South America. She set three world records in the process.
When “rowing” is mentioned, I envision a canoe, a small boat that accommodates only a couple of people and very few supplies. In Zara’s case, the vessel was 24 feet long and equipped with technology that enabled her to know her bearings and stay in touch with loved ones. She had the backing of several groups who made it possible for her to afford such expensive supplies.
On day 40 of her trip, her boat capsized, and she lost the benefit of her cell phone which kept her supplied with music, audiobooks, and podcasts. Her trip was truly solo, with no boats trailing to offer assistance or encouragement. She admitted to hallucinating at times, but always pleasant visions. Was the journey difficult? She wrote in her diary that 35 of her first 39 days were “soul-destroying”, but she endured and is now grateful for having had the experience.
The Bible often compares our physical lives on earth as journeys. Sometimes the journey is on foot: “For we walk by faith, not be sight” (2 Corinthians 5:7). Other times our lives are compared to travel on a ship: “Having faith and a good conscience, which some having rejected, concerning the faith have suffered shipwreck” (1 Timothy 1:19).
No one knows how long our physical journeys will take; some end their journeys while young and others experience a decades-long marathon. But for any of us to complete our travels successfully, we’ll have to have support. That support is offered to all of us from the One who created us.
The prophet Elijah was a fugitive from the wrath of Queen Jezebel when he took off running. After a day he lay down under a broom tree and slept. He was awakened twice by an angel, urging him to eat food provided by heaven. The second time he heard this: “Arise and eat, because the journey is too great for you” (1 Kings 19:7). That one meal gave Elijah the ability to travel another 40 days.
The faith mentioned in 2 Corinthians 5:7 can be viewed as fuel for the soul; it’s how God today provides manna (see Exodus 16) to power our souls on our lifetime journey. But how do we access that “fuel”? Is it within our power to obtain more when we need more? Romans 10:17 says, “Yes”: “So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” As we take time to read from the Bible we fill our soul’s reservoir with needed energy for the day.
But will there be enough fuel to get us through this journey? “And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:19). God provided us the craft for our voyage when we were born; He wants us to complete our journey successfully. Then why should we be nervous about each day’s provisions? Listen to Jesus’ words: “Fear not, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom” (Luke 12:32).
Our journeys are not impossible. With God’s help we are assured of a successful outcome!
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.
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Copyright, 2025, 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.
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