I often remember an experience that I had during a harbor tour in Hamburg (Germany). We were passing the various harbor basins, along the container terminals, and then we came to the point where the river Elbe flows to the North Sea.
The guide told us that there are three different pilot sections for the nearly 50 miles to the mouth of the Elbe in the North Sea. The reason is because the positions of the sandbanks in the Elbe are changing due to the flow of the water. It is therefore important that the pilot knows these particular areas so well that he can guide the ships safely through shoals, passing shipping obstacles and other shipping traffic. Pilots act as advisors to the captain of a ship. This applies to small ships as well as large container giants.
Suddenly, a thought came to my mind: We as Christians and Adventists have the Bible as God's standard for our lives and also the prophetic references for our time. However, these are often only hints that do not provide detailed information, but only a rough outline of the scenario. But God has provided! He gave us Ellen White as a pilot for the final approach to the heavenly harbor.
Today, many Adventists who have already traveled millions of nautical miles (fourth, fifth, or sixth generation Adventists) say that they do not need a pilot. What kind of shipping experience does the pilot have? But if such captains reject the pilot, where will they end up? On the next sandbar? Will they reach their destination?
So we can be thankful that God has given us advice through Ellen White. She leads us as a little light to the bigger light and shows us how to get through the turbulences of this time, the rapids and sandbanks, unscathed and reach our destination – the heavenly harbour.
God bless us! Let us see each other in heaven!
****
Manfred Graser is church elder in Nürnberg-Marienberg church (Germany). He is happily married with Monika. She is currently recovering from cancer. They have two children and two grandchildren. For nearly 40 years they have published the old material for Children Sabbath School from the GC for the German-speaking region.
“And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart” (Galatians 6:9).