“The dangers were great, but not
desperate; the difficulties were many, but not invincible …. their ends
were good and honorable …. and therefore they might expect the blessing
of God.”
William Bradford
The
painting adorning the walls of the Rotunda in the Capitol of the United
States is entitled Embarkation of the Pilgrims and depicts the Pilgrims,
with knees bowed, and Bible in hand, preparing to depart for the New
World and the religious freedom it offered them. The date was July 22,
1620; the place was Delfs Haven, Holland, but the ship was not, as most
would expect, the Mayflower. Hidden on a plank in that painting, viewed
by tens of thousands annually as they tour The Capitol, is the name of
the ship the Pilgrims sailed forth on that day, the Speedwell.
Arriving in England, this group of determined travelers met up with others who were to make the journey and set sail from Southampton on August 15th aboard two vessels, the Speedwell and the Mayflower. Barely out of sight of the shoreline, the Speedwell began to leak, however, and when timely repairs could not be made, the Mayflower gathered both ship’s passengers and sailed alone for the shores of North America.
History has been kind to the Mayflower while effectively ignoring the Speedwell’s contribution to the journey of the Pilgrims. And perhaps a lesson can be learned from that because it is not in the beginning of any effort that honor is given but in its completion. David wrote, “The Lord will fulfill His purpose for me” and Paul penned “He who began a good work in me will carry it on to completion.” We don’t take note of the star marathon runner who drops out of a race for whatever the reason but stories abound of those who cross the finish line hours after others because of their dogged determination to finish what they began.
In many ways, beginning is the easy part; finishing the journey is what takes heart, character, and commitment. We’re each on a journey; and finishing strong has to be the goal we set for ourselves. The Speedwell is unknown to the vast majority of us for one very simple reason: it didn’t finish the journey it began. Maybe it’s time to plug up some leaks; deal with some things that we know deep down will eventually catch up with us; and continue on in our journey of faith with a renewed determination to grow into the man or woman God has called us to be.
God Bless
Pastor Joe
Gateway Church
Arriving in England, this group of determined travelers met up with others who were to make the journey and set sail from Southampton on August 15th aboard two vessels, the Speedwell and the Mayflower. Barely out of sight of the shoreline, the Speedwell began to leak, however, and when timely repairs could not be made, the Mayflower gathered both ship’s passengers and sailed alone for the shores of North America.
History has been kind to the Mayflower while effectively ignoring the Speedwell’s contribution to the journey of the Pilgrims. And perhaps a lesson can be learned from that because it is not in the beginning of any effort that honor is given but in its completion. David wrote, “The Lord will fulfill His purpose for me” and Paul penned “He who began a good work in me will carry it on to completion.” We don’t take note of the star marathon runner who drops out of a race for whatever the reason but stories abound of those who cross the finish line hours after others because of their dogged determination to finish what they began.
In many ways, beginning is the easy part; finishing the journey is what takes heart, character, and commitment. We’re each on a journey; and finishing strong has to be the goal we set for ourselves. The Speedwell is unknown to the vast majority of us for one very simple reason: it didn’t finish the journey it began. Maybe it’s time to plug up some leaks; deal with some things that we know deep down will eventually catch up with us; and continue on in our journey of faith with a renewed determination to grow into the man or woman God has called us to be.
God Bless
Pastor Joe
Gateway Church
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