The traditional first order

It was July 12, 2003. Former First Lady Nancy Reagan came to Norfolk, VA, to put into commission the aircraft carrier named after her husband, President Ronald Reagan. The 4.5 billion dollar ship was home to 6,000 sailors. It carried more than 80 aircraft, and with two nuclear reactors it could sail for 20 years without refueling.

"I have only one line to say," she said as she waved to the cheering crowd. Then she gave the traditional first order for any active navy unit. "Man the ship and bring her to life!"

Hearing these words reminded me that God spoke only one line to bring us to life. "Let us make man in our image, after our likeness." (Gen. 1:26) With the Bible as our compass, our earthly vessel is commissioned into the service of church. And how long can we sail without refueling?

Here may our church Thy cause maintain,

Thy truth with peace and love,

'Til our last earth-born live again

With Thy first-born above.