If you could use some inspiration and motivation to anchor your life in God’s Word, you should read Daws, the biography of Dawson Trotman. His life story shows the stability and strength God gives to those who saturate their hearts and minds with Scripture.
Recently, Linda and I returned from several months on the West Coast. As we drove home, we stopped for a night at Glen Eyrie in Colorado Springs, the home and headquarters of a ministry known as The Navigators. While we were there, I picked up a copy of Dawson’s biography.
The organization was launched by Dawson Trotman back in the early 1930s. Living in southern California, Dawson and his wife, Lila, started gathering Navy sailors to their home for meals and Bible study. Dawson was committed to developing and discipling men who could train others (2 Timothy 2:2). So he pushed these sailors to get into God’s Word every day. Beyond that, he challenged them to memorize key verses to help them resist temptation and rely on God’s strength. These sailors formed the foundation of a new ministry, appropriately called The Navigators. As word spread, the ministry grew. More and more sailors began studying and memorizing God’s Word.
After the attack on Pearl Harbor in 1941, Navigators were stationed on a host of battleships, leading other men to Christ and getting them to memorize Scripture. Navigators like Jack Armstrong stood strong in the face of battle, showing God’s strength even in the face of death.
After the war ended and the sailors returned home, the work of The Navigators spread to churches, companies, and campuses. Eventually, the ministry crossed borders and touched people around the world with the emphasis on reading, studying, memorizing, and meditating on God’s Word.
As I read Dawson’s biography, I found my passion rekindled for God’s Word. Specifically, for memorizing it so I can meditate on it. As Psalm 119:15 says, “I will meditate on your precepts and fix my eyes on your ways.”
Dawson died at the age of 50 after saving a young girl from drowning. Billy Graham gave this tribute at Dawson’s funeral:
“Dawson loved the Word of God. I think more than anybody else he taught me to love it. He always carried his Bible around and always had it marked. And he could turn to it quickly. He would say, ‘Billy, have you seen this?’ or ‘Here’s a little nugget I got from the Lord today. I want to give it to you.’ The Word of God was sweetness to him; he mediated in it day and night.”
If you want to navigate the choppy waters of life, my encouragement to you is to follow the lead of Dawson Trotman and the Navigators: anchor your life in God’s Word.
You can read How to Navigate Through Life’s Rough Waters (Part 1) here.
Rick and Linda Reed 