A Lifeboat

Henry Greathead spent much of his life at sea. Born on this day in 1757 in north Central England, he had been a ship’s carpenter and sailed on many voyages throughout the globe. When he was just 26, he opened a business, applying what he had learned to build boats.

Shortly after opening his shop, a tragedy took place: A ship was lost in the waters near his home. Spectators looked on in horror as the entire crew drowned. The sea was considered too rough for any normal boat to provide a rescue.

Motivated by this tragedy, a contest was held to design a boat which might have saved these lives. After the winning model was chosen, Greathead was given the task of building the boat. Employing his own modifications, the result was a boat 30 feet long and 10 feet wide that carried up to 20 people. Named the “Original,” this boat was active for 40 years, saving many lives.

Not content with this original, Greathead continued to improve the design, eventually finishing 31 more lifeboats. When he died in 1816, he could know that his boats had rescued hundreds of lives.

This addressed a timeless problem for those going to sea. We even see a lifeboat employed on a ship on which Paul was sailing.

These boats are a powerful picture of salvation in the spiritual realm. How God rescues the lives of sinners. Jesus Himself was “the gate,” and “whoever enters through me will be saved” (John 10:9 NIV). On the day of Pentecost, Peter declared that “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved” (Acts 2:21 NIV).

Ask God to send His lifeboat to those who may be sinking and need to be rescued.