By the Way: Why being a Christian is like being a pirate

By Scott Raible on October 18, 2025.

Now, I know what you’re thinking – what business do I have in comparing Christians to pirates? After all, pirates don’t have the best reputation! But stay with me, because this little picture might help us see the Christian life in a fresh way.

First, think of the sea. For a pirate, the ocean is wide and unpredictable. Storms rise suddenly, winds change, dangers lurk. Isn’t that a picture of life itself? Each of us has known the storms of sickness, loss, or fear. The Letter to the Hebrews tells us to “run with perseverance the race set before us, looking to Jesus the pioneer and perfecter of our faith.” The seas may be rough, but our eyes are fixed on Christ, who steers us safely through.

Second, every pirate needs a ship and a crew. No one survives long alone at sea. In the same way, the Christian life is never a solo journey. We are given the Church – the body of Christ – as our crew. The great “cloud of witnesses” from Hebrews 11, the saints and martyrs, are like seasoned sailors cheering us on. And among our congregation, we sail together, helping one another through calm and storm alike.

Third, pirates were after treasure. But here is where the difference comes in: the world’s treasure rots and rusts, as Jesus reminds us in the Gospels. The Christian’s treasure is different. St. Paul speaks of “Christ in you, the hope of glory.” That is our true prize – life eternal, the joy of God’s kingdom, the glory of sharing in Christ’s victory.

And finally, pirates always had a captain. The difference for us is that our Captain is not cruel or self-serving, but the Lord Jesus Himself. He leads not by fear, but by love. He has already braved the storm of death and risen victorious, so that we can follow Him with confidence.

So yes, in a strange way, being a Christian is like being a pirate: we set out on a daring adventure, through rough seas, with a loyal crew, following a Captain who leads us to a treasure beyond all price.

Friends, let us hoist the sails of faith, hold fast together as Christ’s crew, and keep our eyes on the horizon where His glory shines. For the hope of glory is ours, and the Captain of our salvation will not fail us.

Amen.

Scott Raible is a lay minister serving at St Barnabas Church in Medicine Hat and at St Ambrose in Redcliff. Scott started Christian radio in Medicine Hat with Alive 99.5 and was an announcer and music director with 93.7 Praise FM. Scott can be reached at scottraible@gmail.com

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