I showed Sue a picture of the Hebron offshore oil platform and her immediate response was, “That’s obviously photoshopped.” That was my first reaction also. It looks made up … it looks impossible. In reality, it’s a genuine Canadian construction marvel. Reading the stats only adds to disbelief.
Picture an American football field (including the endzones) balanced atop a 15-story building. That would be an impressive accomplishment, but the comparison pales to the reality. It’s not a football field precariously perched up there, it’s a small city. The production platform weighs 65,000 metric tons and towers 370 feet (113m) above the ocean’s surface. I’ll only geek-out with a few more relevant statistics. The platform resides 220 miles off the shores of Newfoundland in the brutal North Atlantic. It must withstand extremes including 100 mph winds, 80 foot waves, ice floats and small icebergs.
How can such a top-heavy structure stand, let alone withstand that kind of beating? It’s all about the footings. The structure below the waterline is massive and goes right down to the bedrock ocean floor. Huge silos surround and buttress the center mast … What’s below the water is almost ten times heavier than what you see (600,000 metric tons). The sight that dazzles and puzzles our eyes is only the tip of the proverbial iceberg. The platform stands and withstands because of its hidden mass.
Now let me ask you … do you know peace? I don’t mean are you out of harms way … living a quiet life. Can you count on maintaining a calm inner confidence in face of this world’s current turmoil or its prescient demise? Will you stand if the wind, waves and biting ice of adversity advance on your little piece of ocean? Times like these reveal the footings of our souls. Let me leave you with some Scriptures that have been speaking to me on the topic of peaceful resilience …
“You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you.” Isaiah 26:3
“This is what the Sovereign LORD, the Holy One of Israel, says: ‘In repentance and rest is your salvation, in quietness and trust is your strength …’” Isaiah 30:15
“The joy of the LORD is your strength.” Nehemiah 8:10
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:6-7
