To Sea

When I was 16 or 17 years old, I asked my parents if I could go to sea. At that stage, I was having serious doubts about the church and needed some time alone to think about my life. They gave me their blessing; so when I was 17, I went to sea for a year. One question that continually arose in my mind was: “Is the church the right place for me?” I used the time on board to read a lot in the Bible and in The Letters of Johan O. Smith, and to think about life. I also prayed a great deal. On those tropical nights when I was off duty, I stood and gazed at the stars. I sensed the drawing of the Father so strongly that often I stood there and wept. I came into need over my own sin, and I felt that the Father was very near.

On one trip—in October 1962—we were heading to the USA. As we approached Cuba, American fighter jets began circling above us. We received a message to hoist our flag and identify ourselves. It turned out that Soviet naval vessels were lying only a few miles behind us. They were armed with mis­siles to be installed in Cuba. The Cold War was at its height, and the world was on the brink of a Third World War. Every news broadcast covered the intense situation, and they were always talking about Cuba. The captain of our ship was in­structed by the ambassador to head for the nearest American port. The atmosphere on board was very tense and heavy. In my need I prayed to God. I thought it was too late for me to be part of the bride of Christ, but I had the assurance of salvation from perdition and that was a great comfort. It is amazing to think back, that God has been so gracious and has given me many more years in His service.

I had been preserved under the law and did not have many sins on my conscience, but at that time the Son was revealed to me. The head of the shipping line liked me and offered to train me as a machinist with full pay. Even though I had a strong desire for a life at sea, I couldn’t help but say “No, thanks” to his offer, and I headed home. I sensed such a strong drawing toward heavenly things that I longed to give my whole heart to Jesus. When I was 18 years old, I wanted to be prayed for, and brother Sigurd Bratlie prayed with me dur­ing a revival meeting at the summer conference. It felt inde­scribably good to put my affairs in order with God and con­fess it before people!

About two weeks after my conversion, I received a letter from brother Sigurd Bratlie in which he powerfully exhorted me to receive the chastening from the Father of Spirits. “There is nothing as beneficial for our spirit as chastening,” he wrote. Later in life I have had real need for those exhorta­tions, which were written in a prophetic Spirit.