Why was
"Transformed for Glory" created?
People, young and old, rich and poor... people of all sizes and shapes... most of them like to go on vacations.
 The joy and excitement of planning leads right into the exuberance of the adventure. One of my favorite vacations was cruising the "Inside Passage"... a trip along the waterways of southern Alaska and British Columbia.
On all cruises, there is at least one point when all the passengers must come out on the deck and wearing life jackets practice an evacuation drill. This helps everyone know where the life jackets are kept and the placement of lifeboats.
When it's a practice drill, everyone is laughing and making jokes about how funny everyone else looks in the life preserving gear.
Suppose you were on a cruise and you heard an announcement to evacuate the ship... to get into a lifeboat and away from the ship as soon as possible.
Would you believe the captain and crew? Or would you insist upon keeping the party going? Would you keep on eating and drinking and ignore the threat of danger?
In History, we have the example of the Titanic. Not everyone believed there was real danger... Many passengers had so much faith in the wisdom and expert design and engineering, and the superior materials that were used to construct the ship... they didn't believe the harsh words of doom until it was too late.
There were other people on the Titanic that were so panic stricken and selfish they took over lifeboats and only half-filled they rowed away. These survivors ignored and left behind hundreds screaming and crying for help.
When the first rescue ships actually arrived at the disaster scene, there were over 300 people floating in the waters wearing life jackets. Over 300 people who slowly froze to death because those in the life boats, those who could have acted as rescuers, ignored the people who weren't in their boats. They ignored the lost... the helpless... the frightened... They ignored the voices crying in the dark.
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Think about being in one of those lifeboats.
Cold and dark, there is no certain knowledge when help might arrive.
You are in the middle of the sea. You may not even know the other survivors, but there you are... all together. You are safe... or praying that you're safe. "Just please, don't rock the boat!"
Suppose someone in your boat began going "crazy". What would you do if one or two people decided they had to get out of thelifeboat? Perhaps one person begins to feel guilty... thinking they don't deserve to be saved. Or another person wants to be with a loved- one out there in the icy waters. Would you allow these people to jump out of the boat? Would you let them slip away into the murky dark, knowing they are going to certain death? Wouldn't you try to hold onto them and restrain such folly? Wouldn't you try to save them: keep them safe in the lifeboat?
The story of the Titanic is powerful and grips our hearts and imaginations.
But we live in a similar tableau. All around us there are men and women who are lost. Some don't even realize the eternal danger, which they face... but others are desperately crying out: "Save me. Help me. Oh, please, don't look away."
We are the rescuers. We have the knowledge and power and love to save thousands... maybe millions.
But there is another concern. What about those who are already saved? Suppose they're with you in the lifeboat of Christ's salvation, but they decide to jump out of the boat or slowly they slip away. Maybe someone who just doesn't feel welcome or someone who is caught in the lure, the stronghold of sin?
There's a burden on my heart for unnoticed people in the Church who turn away or seemingly slip into oblivion. The lies of Satan promise Paradise here on earth and hurting people grapple with these false words. People don't understand that betrayal and certain death await their plunge into these icy waters.
What can be done? How can we encourage Christian believers to keep together and stay in the lifeboat?
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