Rafts aren’t the only thing that can drift – so can a boat. I came across this article in
People Magazine . You won’t believe the terror two teenage boys experienced when their boat drifted. Read on:
On Sunday morning, April 24, Troy Driscoll, 15, and his best friend, Josh Long, 17, both high school students from North Charleston, S.C., paddled out from Sullivans Island near their home for a day of fishing in a 15-ft. boat. Had they listened to the radio, they would have heard that bad weather was approaching.
Josh Long – We wanted to put the boat between the beach and a sand bar, but we weren’t out 20 minutes when the riptide pulled us out. We tried to put the anchor down, but it wouldn’t catch. We just drifted farther and farther away. Hours went by. We tried to wave people down, but nobody saw us. The last thing I saw was the towers on shore that lead cargo ships in. By dark we couldn’t see a thing. The next morning there was no land in sight. All we could do was pray.
By 10 p.m., when the boys—who left Josh’s cell phone in his truck at a dock and had no radio or emergency equipment—hadn’t returned, their frantic parents called the Coast Guard.
Eddie Long, Josh’s father – It was the hardest night of my life, walking that beach, knowing that my son and Troy were out there somewhere. It was cold, and the waves picked up.
Josh – We were soaking wet, clinging to each other, trying to keep warm. We’d doze off, but the waves kept crashing into the boat, washing over us, so we couldn’t ever get to sleep.
Troy Driscoll – During the day it got so hot, we took a couple of dips to cool off. But then the sharks came around, and we didn’t go in the water anymore.
Josh – Far from shore, the water turns clear, like blue Gatorade. Troy begged me, “Please, let me drink just a little.” I said, “If you drink it, you’ll die.” Then one day it began to drizzle. I had my mouth wide open to catch drops, but it didn’t rain hard enough. I started licking the water from the deck.
Troy – Josh woke up screaming that we were at the store and had to buy some Mountain Dew. I was like, “Bro, we’re out in the middle of the water, and there’s no Mountain Dew.” I was so hungry I ate a jellyfish and waited overnight to see if it would kill me. It didn’t. They’re slimy, gushy things, but I ate about 100 of them.
Josh – Troy was so hungry he wanted to cut off a finger and eat it. At one point, he said, “Please, help me get out of here or kill me.” I said, “I can’t do that.”
The Coast Guard searched the ocean using boats, helicopters, airplanes and the help of recreational boaters. But at sunset on Tuesday, April 26, after 2½ days had passed with no sign of the boys, the rescue mission became a recovery operation.
Eddie Long – They told us that in a week to 10 days, the bodies would become gaseous and rise to the surface. I went out on the bridge with binoculars, but I didn’t go out on a boat. If there was a body, I didn’t want to remember my son that way. By Saturday, April 30, seven days after they set out, the boys were drifting seven miles off Cape Fear and 111 miles from where they had launched.
Josh – Something about Saturday morning was different. When the sun came up, it was a beautiful color. I saw a rainbow off to the left, and there were dolphins playing all around the boat. Later that day two fishermen spotted something distant in the water.
Ben Degutis, 70 – At first, I didn’t know what it was. As we got closer, I could see people waving, and holy mackerel, it was two young guys in this tiny boat. One was yelling, “Thank God!”
Eddie Long – I was outside and heard a commotion. They gave me the phone, and Josh said, “I miss you, Daddy.”
Tony Driscoll, Troy’s dad – When I finally saw Troy, it was like him being born all over again. The joy in my heart was that huge.
During their ordeal Long lost 30 lbs. and Driscoll was hospitalized for three days for second-degree burns on his face and feet.
Driscoll – I’ll go out again fishing, for sure—in a boat with two motors.
Long – While we were out there we dreamed about the biggest sundae you could imagine—the ultimate sundae. Troy and I are going to meet at an ice cream place and have that sundae.
Boats aren’t the only thing that can drift – so can people. In my years as a believer and follower of the Lord Jesus Christ, I have seen many people do the very same thing in their spiritual lives that Troy and Josh did in their boat. Out of a love for God, believers get in their boat and go to church, serve the Lord, have their daily devotions, testify in prayer meeting, share the Gospel with an unbeliever, and attend Bible study. Everything is okay – they are safe near the shore with anchor firmly in place.
Then one day, ignoring the warnings they’ve heard, they begin to drift – they miss a service here and there. Then Bible study or prayer meeting seems like a huge interruption in their already busy week, so they stop attending. They begin to eat things they would never have thought of eating – slimy television shows that promote immorality, homosexuality, drinking, and many other unbiblical “jellyfish.” Things that are harmful look appealing and they begin to “drink” of its waters, all the while the sharks are circling their boat. Like the saltwater, bitterness may be a poison they drink. One sip of unforgiveness keeps them coming back for more. They have now drifted to Cape Fear!
Praise the Lord, though, the Holy Spirit sees them in their drifted state, and He sends believers who care to fish near enough to their drifted place to spot them. They don’t leave them there – they come to them with a warm coat (God’s love), nourishing food (the Word of God), and balm for their wounds (forgiveness of our God). I John 1:9 is claimed and obeyed. Soon, they’re feeling better, feet planted solidly on the ground with the wisdom to keep anchor so they’ll drift no more.
Not everyone who drifts out in the ocean is rescued. It’s not that the Lord isn’t showing them the Light from the lighthouse, but because they are unwilling to admit that they are indeed drifting. If this post has offended you, let me say, dear Friend, it’s probably because you are drifting. “Great peace have they which love thy law, and nothing shall offend them.” Psalm 119:165
Drifting takes place a little at a time. If you can still detect the shoreline, row back home before you find yourself in dangerous waters. There’s a huge Sunday to enjoy with others who will rejoice at your tender heart and your safe return!
Isaiah 43:1,2 But now thus saith the LORD that created thee, O Jacob, and he that formed thee, O Israel, Fear not: for I have redeemed thee, I have called thee by thy name; thou art mine.When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee.
Because I care,
RefreshHer 
This was great analogy, Denise. I know that if I am not in the word early in my day I just drift all over the place. It makes such a difference in my attitude. Thanks for sharing your thoughts. xoxoxoxo’s
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Thank you. Yes, we all need God’s Word daily and early in the day in order to keep our hearts right and be ready for what is before us that day! Without it we’re on our own, and in my case, that’s scary!
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I just read my daily devotional at “She Reads the Truth”. Today’s lesson was about the Isrealites escaping through the Red Sea. (Quite a coincidence…. with you quoting the passage from Isaiah.) The God who rescued the people of Israel form Pharaoh is the same God who rescues us today. And one day Jesus will come back and rescue us again.
God was with the people of Israel when they passed through the water of the Red Sea and He is always with us. He will not ever leave us. He will not only lead us but protect us.
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What a comfort that is!
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