Some naval ships make up a fleet nicknamed the “Mothball Navy.” The ships are decommissioned from active service, but tax dollars still must go to their upkeep.
They’re like some Christians who have decided to “decommission” themselves. These believers are harbored in a church where they require ongoing maintenance even though they aren’t serving the cause.
If you’ve let that happen to you, I’ve got good news: God wants to reactivate you.
In his book, Fifty Ships That Saved the World, Philip Goodhart wrote about the American destroyers from the Mothball Navy that were recommissioned at the start of the Second World War. They served as escorts protecting merchant ships against German U-boats. Goodhart wrote that they “gave invaluable service at a time of really desperate need.”
Ships from the Mothball Navy have been reactivated in every conflict in the modern era: the Second World War, the Korean War, the Vietnam War, the Cold War, and the wars in the Middle East. Now that the Navy wants to increase their active fleet from 283 ships to 355, there’s new discussion about reactivating certain ships.
“You’re never gone until they actually tow you away for scrap,” naval strategist Stephen Wills told the miliary journal, Task & Purpose. “Even if you’re mothballed, you might come back.”
He was speaking about decommissioned ships, but he could have been speaking about Christians who have taken themselves out of God’s service. You can come back.
What service might God be calling you to? This Sunday would be a good time to find out. After our 10am service, you can learn about the ministries we run and the ministries we support by walking through our Ministry Fair. In our gym you’ll find booths promoting the programs of our own church. In addition, you’ll meet representatives from 18 organizations that use our building or receive support from our missions budget. Find out how we partner to support international missions, disaster relief, poverty aid, pregnancy care, and so much more!
It will be a great way to get unmoored from the Mothball Navy and return to serving in God’s kingdom again!
--Tom
Tom Goodman serves as pastor at Hillcrest Church in Austin, Texas. His sermons are available on YouTube and the HillcrestToGo Podcast and you can find him on Facebook and Twitter. If someone forwarded this email newsletter to you, sign up here to receive Tom’s weekly devotional in your email inbox.