In the epic story Moby Dick, there is a turbulent scene where a whaleboat races to try and catch the great whale. The scene is frantic. Sailors are yelling and working hard. The enraged Captain Ahab is at the helm.

But one person is calm amidst the chaos. He is steady and focused. It’s the harpooner. He watches. He waits. He readies himself. He doesn’t get caught up in the surrounding hysteria.

And then this comment: “To insure the greatest efficiency in the dart, the harpooners of this world must start to their feet out of idleness, and not out of toil.”*

Wow. What a great word for us today. Victory comes through peace not panic.

Do you ever feel like you’re on that frantic whaleboat, surrounded by yelling and rage and pandemonium? Me too. But frenzy doesn’t have to be infectious.

The harpooner had a task to do; and so do we. We are to keep first things first.

-“Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength… Love your neighbour as yourself” (Mark 12:30-31)
-“Above all else, guard your heart…” (Proverbs 4:23)
-“Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of all mankind” (Ecclesiastes 12:13).

Maybe you need to pause. To step back. Perhaps you need to re-examine and re-order your weekly schedule. Maybe you need to ask God for help in prayer… and not rush through it.

Victory comes through peace not panic.

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Notes:

—New Podcast: “Serious, self-sacrificial evangelism — a talk with Will Han.” Evangelism is sharing the good news about Jesus. But it can be challenging (and intimidating). Will Han is a Buddhist monk-turned Christian, church-planter, missionary, and good friend of mine. He has a serious and self-sacrificial approach which flows from his own experience of Christ’s love. This podcast is a talk (and interview) with Rev. Han. Click here to listen (or watch) or tune in to The Pulse Podcast with Matthew Ruttan on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Stitcher or TuneIn.

—Blog. “How to calm and relax your mind.” I was recently reminded of this post I put together toward the start of the Covid-19 pandemic, so I thought I’d include it again here. It includes 20 quick and practical tips… they still apply! Click here to read.

–Bible quotes are from the NIV.