JD

"You have to turn it on! we're going to die out here!" the pilot screamed into his microphone.

Hours earlier, six pilots were summoned from there rooms below deck.

"Men,"the commander barked. "There are German submarines out there in that ocean. We need to know where they are. I am counting on you to go up and find them. Now go to it"

"Yes sir!" all six replied in unison.

They scurried away to get ready. Other Navy men scrambled up on deck of the aircraft carrier. They swarmed like ants around the airplanes preparing them for take-off.

Finally, the pilots climbed into the cockpits. Engines roared as the planes catapulted off the ship deck up into the night.

Six planes zoomed through the sky in formation. The pilots radioed back and forth looking for the enemy in the water below.

The United States had joined Great Britain and other countries against Adolph Hitler and his powerful German military in World War II. In this war many large ships were torpedoed by submarines. The Naval Air Force pilots tried to locate them and bomb them if possible.

After, hours of searching and researching the ocean, the six pilots banked back towards the ship. The men judged how long they could stay in the air by how much fuel they had left.

As the planes descended and began to approach the huge ship, the pilots tried to spot the runway lights. Their eyes skipped back and forth between their altimeters and the windows. Six pilots, and none of them could spot the ship.

Finally, the controller on the ship radioed and told them they would have to stay in the sky. A German submarine was in the area. The commander of the ship ordered all lights on the ship to be turned off immediately.

The planes buzzed off into the night gaining altitude. They settled in, cruising 5,000 feet above the water. Six pilots flying in a huge circle, waiting for permission to land.

The men started to get nervous as they watched their fuel gauges. Finally, the lead pilot radioed the ship. "Man, we're getting down to minimums on fuel. Can't we come in yet?"

"Negative. Lights are still out."

They were nearing the end. All six began to descend, hoping and praying. All the fuel gauges dropped below empty. "We are out. We are out!" pleaded the pilot. "Please, turn the lights on or we are headed for the water."

"Negative. Lights are still out. Commanders orders."

The men began to scream as they slowed their planes into a final descent towards the darkness below demanding the lights be turned on.

Their was a pause. The commander would not risk a whole ship for six men.

The controller's voice broke, "Request denied. Lights still out."

Six men flew their planes into the ocean and lost their lives. There was no light to bring them to safety.

Jesus said we are all in danger of losing our souls in Hell forever. He also promised He can save us. Jesus said, "I am come a light into the world, that whosoever believeth on Me should not abide in darkness" (John 12:46). The one who is the Light can show us where we are, where we are going, and save us forever.

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