Reading Patrick O’Brian and Philip Allan’s great adventures at sea aboard HMS Surprise and HMS Griffin respectively, one observes from afar their preparations for battle at sea.
The Captain’s cabin for Captains Jack Aubrey and Alexander Clay respectively are the most luxurious and spacious cabins on their ships, but they are located on the gun deck. In preparation for battle their cabins are “cleared for action,” that is dismantled and stowed below deck.
Anything that would distract from the coming battle is removed. The walls, the desk, the wardrobe, the Captain’s trunk with his personal belongings, the books, even the portrait of Captain Clay’s beautiful wife Lydia painted by 2nd Lieutenant Blake, goes to the hold. Anything that could possibly distract from the coming battle is removed.
The only things left are the canons and their associated equipment. The whole gun deck has become one long space populated by the highly trained gun crews with their respective, many times personally named canons pointing through the hull and toward the enemy. This happens quickly as battle looms.
As I walked this morning on Blackmer Municipal Golf Course, it occurred to me that is what I should do with my mind in preparation for prayer. My mind needs to be cleared for action, after all, it’s a battle out there.
While Captain Clay has a crew to come dismantle and store his cabin and remove its distractions, I have only me to clear my mind for action.
Most time it seems like an impossible task.
Interesting
Thank you Phil…
A great thought about clearing the clutter (much of which is good) to prepare for the most important engagement. Lord, please help me in my own life. Thank you!
Thanks
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