Lolomboy, Bulacan

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Journal Entry. Evening. 30th of October. 2023

Rescue those who are being taken away to death; hold back those who are stumbling to the slaughter. If you say, “Behold, we did not know this,” does not he who weighs the heart perceive it? Does not he who keeps watch over your soul know it, and will he not repay man according to his work?
Proverbs 24:11

In the pitch of night, a great ship upon the ocean did begin to sink. With an innumerable number of souls on board, and in less time than it takes to tell it, all manner of people—from strongest man to smallest child—were cast into the darkness, flailing helplessly in the freezing waters. 

Amidst the fearful screaming, the ship's crew did launch their boats. One sailor, taking charge of a single lifeboat, spent a full thirty minutes pulling the drowning from the waves, one by one, with all the strength he possessed.

As this poor sailor strained every muscle for the lives still in peril, those who were already safe in the boat did simply console one another, saying: “We are safe, we are safe. Let us lift up a song of thanksgiving for this rescue, and praise God for this officer."

The exhausted sailor then frantically began to plead with them: “I pray thee, help me now! Many are still drowning in the water! Help me to save them!”

But one of the men who was rescued made answer: “We are safe, we are safe. Should we put our own security in doubt for others who may perish? Is not this your appointed task? Do your work, dear man.”

The sailor, filled with astonishment and sorrow at this word, replied: “I would if I could alone! Doth your heart not care for them that are perishing? How many more could be brought to safety if I had more hands to assist me!”

The saved gentleman did but shake his coat, ignoring the sailor's cry. He spoke unto those in the boat: “Friends, do not endanger yourselves for those outside. If they are to be saved, they shall be saved. God is Sovereign. Let us instead make prayer for this officer that he might be strengthened to do more of this Christian act. Let us keep this boat clean and dry for our own comfort. I will lead the singing: let us be reminded from now on, we are safe, we are safe.”

And so they did begin their singing, above the screaming voices of those around them dying. Leaving the worn sailor alone to pull as many people as he could from the water.

When I say to the wicked, ‘You wicked person, you will surely die,’ and you do not speak out to persuade them to turn from their ways, that wicked person will die for their sin, but I will hold you accountable for their blood.
Ezekiel 33:8 

True salvation does not dwell with the tongue that sings but with the hand that toils. For the greatest hymn is the active love shown to thy drowning neighbor.

But when he saw the multitudes, he was moved with compassion on them, because they fainted, and were scattered abroad, as sheep having no shepherd. Then saith he unto his disciples, The harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few; Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth labourers into his harvest.
Matthew 9:36-38


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