The Oxford Union is the oldest debating society in the world (at least according to the Brits). It prides itself on engaging some of the most distinguished and prominent speakers from around the globe. In December of 1992, Oxford alum and former Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher helped to secure Ronald Reagan to address the student leaders and staff, much to the chagrin of the faculty, for they neither liked Thatcher nor Reagan.
Connecting with the crowd early by quoting one of Oxford's own historians, he said: "It was the British historian Arnold Toynbee who defined life as a voyage of discovery and not a safe harbor.”
He then described his own voyage of life witnessing the rise and fall of the Nazis and of Communism. Battling the Cold War and the nuclear nightmare for decades, defeating totalitarianism, and working to eliminate weapons of mass destruction.
Reagan then rhetorically asked the Oxford students: “What will you do on your journey?”
What will you do on your journey?
He answered: “As I see it, you have the opportunity to set and enforce international standards of civilized behavior. Does that sound unrealistic?"
Thankfully, the apostle Peter gives us a definition of the standards of civilized behavior:
"Finally, all of you should be of one mind. Sympathize with each other. Love each other as brothers and sisters. Be tenderhearted, and keep a humble attitude. Don't repay evil for evil. Don't retaliate with insults when people insult you. Instead, pay them back with a blessing. That is what God has called you to do, and he will grant you his blessing. For the Scriptures say, 'If you want to enjoy life and see many happy days, keep your tongue from speaking evil and your lips from telling lies. Turn away from evil and do good. Search for peace, and work to maintain it. The eyes of the Lord watch over those who do right, and his ears are open to their prayers. But the Lord turns his face against those who do evil.'"
You are not in a safe harbor but on a voyage of discovery. What will you do on your journey?