Letter to a Sailor

 

Dear Sailor,

    Lyle was a friend of mine. He was in his 70’s and I was 26 years old. I worked for him at his RV and boat storage lot. He had his office set up in a fifth wheel trailer by the entrance. Much of our time was spent waiting for customers to come in to rent spaces, and so we had time to talk or just hang out not saying much while he smoked cigarettes. I had some theology books on the shelf in the trailer to read on the days when Lyle was off for the weekend. One day he asked me if I was going to become a priest. I told him I was thinking about becoming a Roman Catholic Priest because I had been attending the Roman Catholic Church that he and his wife also attended, though I wasn’t Roman Catholic. This was during a period in my life when I visited several churches to see what I could learn from them. This was the last church I visited before I decided to go my own way, away from God.

    One day, while we were sitting at the table, Lyle seemed kinda uncomfortable. We were just hanging out waiting for someone to drive into the lot, when he told me he was on a ship in the Pacific during World War 2. This really peaked my interest because he had told me when I was first hired that he was in the Navy during the war. I was expecting some good stories, but he told me just one story and it changed me. He said that during one battle there were a bunch of Japanese sailors in the water and he was ordered to shoot them with the 50 caliber machine gun he was manning. It was gruesome and it was the kind of story you think you’d want to hear from a veteran, but I could see that he was very concerned, and I didn’t know how to react.

Then he asked me, “Do you think God will forgive me?”

    I was at a loss for words. How can I possibly answer him I thought, but then I remembered that Jesus died for our sins. I asked him something like, “You believe that Jesus died for your sins right?”

He nodded his head and said, “Yes.”

    Then I said something like, “Yes, I think God has forgiven you.” Then I added something like, “You was just following orders” and “these things happen in war.” He knew this, I just thought he might want to hear me say it.

    I wasn’t sure if I helped him. It was quiet for a short time as we sat there at the table, until we went on about our day helping customers. What changed me was how I realized I couldn’t help him. I felt inadequate and I wasn’t sure what I could do for anyone, so I decided to not become a priest. I returned the theology books to a friend who had given them to me.

    Looking back now after 34 years, I know I gave Lyle the right answer. Although, what I failed to understand was the answer was not in me and what I could do for him. The answer was in Christ Jesus. Is there anything else I would say to Lyle today? Yes, there is. I’d tell Lyle to ask God for forgiveness. To open up to God in prayer. To speak to God and tell him what you have done and what troubles you. To go to a room and shut the door or go to a private place outside and speak to God in your mind or say the words from your mouth. To be honest and open, like you were talking to a friend. That’s what I’d like to say to Lyle.

    If you have yet to believe in Jesus, consider what Jesus did for you. God the Son came down from heaven and became the man Jesus. He was tempted in every way, but lived a sinless life. He was crucified on the cross and died. He was buried and was raised on the third day. He appeared to many of his disciples. They talked with him and walked with him and ate food with him until after 40 days he ascended into heaven, where he is with the Father now. His death on the cross is for you. The reason he died for you is because sin separates us from God, who is holy and perfect. When you believe in Jesus, that he died for your sins, he gives you his righteousness. He takes your punishment to satisfy God’s justice. And you receive God grace, which is a gift, and you get to live with God for eternity. Only God can save us from ourselves. Why would God accepted any other way after sending his Son to die on the cross for our sins? The truth of salvation and eternal life is found only in Jesus.

    I encourage you to learn about Jesus in the bible. To be persistent in your search. To not be distracted by what others may say. Many will tell you, directly or indirectly, to not follow and to not believe in Jesus. If you believe in Jesus, I praise God because you are saved and you have received eternal life. Therefore, I encourage you to follow in the way of Jesus. If you follow in the way of Jesus, then I praise God for your reward in heaven will be great. I also encourage you to join a church that teaches from the bible if you haven’t already. May God bless you and I thank you for your service in the Navy.