The Mothball Fleet

“Know the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep… —Romans 13:11

“Awake to righteousness, and sin not; for some have not the knowledge of God: I speak this to your shame.” —1 Corinthians 15:34

“Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober.” —1 Thessalonians 5:6

Across the Sinclair Inlet from Port Orchard, WA is the Puget Sound Naval Shipyard. There many navel ships are moored in “mothballs.”  These vessels are anchored and receive regular maintenance. Their exteriors are repainted periodically, their hulls are continually being bombarded by electrical impulses to prevent a buildup of barnacles and retard the process of rust and corrosion.  The moisture content of the air in their inner compartments is kept at a proper level with giant humidifiers.  While these ships could be readied for service, at the present time they just sit in the water doing absolutely nothing!

I liken them to “mothball Christians” who serviced through the ministry of the local church. But their talents and gifts are not being used.  They are snugly harbored in church, receiving spiritual help from others but never giving anything in return to the service of the Lord.

The Lord is coming soon, and every available Christian should be busy about His work while they can for “the night is far spent, the day is at hand…” (Rom. 13:12).