Yet, this morning, I am intrigued over ships.
I want to propose that by reading the story of Paul and his experience of riding through a storm on a ship, we can gain valuable insight into how to weather the storms in our own lives.
I love the way the Bible describes the events that go down in Acts 27. Paul, a prisoner headed to Rome, is on a ship that is facing a terrible storm. So terrible, in fact, that for many days sun nor stars appeared. So terrible, in fact, that the crew didn't eat, were tossing cargo and gear over the sides of the vessel, and trying to take a skiff to save their lives.
In the middle of the severe storm, Paul eats. Paul, unaffected by the chaos that literally raged around him, urged the crew to eat as well. Before the crew put bread to lips, they watched as Paul took the bread, thanked God for it, and ate it. How oddly strange.
Once they saw Paul engaging in such a profound yet simple act of personal self-care in the middle of sea waves pounding a wooden ship and dark sky hovering above their heads, they were "encouraged". So encouraged were they by Paul's odd actions they, too, ate for the first time in 14 days.
Can you imagine the scene? Imagine 276 men, crew and prison passengers, having a picnic on board a ship during the middle of a northeaster. It sounds very Mutiny on the Bounty.
To be a student of the Word of God and a follower of Jesus, I feel it important (and Biblical) to pay attention to the stories that have been recorded for our benefit. So when I read Acts 27, I heightened my awareness and ready my fingers to write down my impressions from the Holy Spirit as I read.
May I suggest that as most of us living in 2020 will not be escorted to Rome on a ship, we can gain incredible life application from Paul during this time in his life.
Storms happen. In 2020, most of our storms come in the form of relationship strife, financial crisis, personal failure, family dynamics, world events, and unknown viruses. This list could be personalized and lengthened to fit your own situation. Storms come. Always. Life is never without storms.
But, when everyone else around us responds to the terror of the storm, do we need to respond the same way? We, who know Jesus, are called to live by different standards. In fact, I think if ever there was a time when God's people lived according to His principles, the time is now!
The crew responded like good sea men should. They set out the first anchor to slow the speed of the ship. They threw off cargo followed by the ship's gear. They did all they could to lighten the load of the ship. A heavy ship sits deep in sea waters. They needed a ship to sit high in the midst of the storm. Some even tried to flat out escape the terror of the seas by taking a skiff (small boat attached to the body of the main ship) to fend for themselves.
Yet, Paul. Paul responded as one who knew the One who had created the storm. He knew a promise that had been made to him. He knew that despite what he saw with his eyes, God was going to protect him (see Acts 27:21-26), and bring him through the storm.
What if we were more like Paul? What if we lived by the promises of God’s Word? What if, during a potential pandemic like is currently occupying the airwaves around the world, we did not walk in a spirit of fear? What if, during a personal crisis, we cried out to God, first, and sought out His wisdom for what steps we took next?
Instead, I have found myself very much like the crew members. I’ve tried to lighten the load of my difficult situation by throwing things overboard. I’ve tried to jump ship through escapism or denial of my situation. Come on, am I the only one who has relied on my own understanding and tried to fix my predicament my way and according to my plan? I sit as my own jury and judge myself guilty when trying to chart my own course, pray but seek others opinion, and rely on God and something or someone else.
I’m hearing the voice of the One I call Father to dare to live by His Word - alone. I’m hearing Him call me into deeper places that require me to trust Him - alone. Before I send out propaganda calling for help for personal insight into painful places, I’m calling on my Father, first. He often tells me to call a friend or reach out to others for prayer. He most often does not call me to live life alone or as a lone ranger fighting my own battles. He’s good at surrounding me with others who can carry burdens and lift tired hands and strengthen weak knees. However, that comes after I’ve come to Him, first. That comes after the falling on my face before Him, alone. That comes after I seek out direction through His Word knowing He is my answer. Only Him.
Paul knew the storm was ragging. He responded by the promise of God’s protection. He didn’t engage the problem. He stayed engaged with the One who would solve the problem.
And just in case you aren’t familiar with how this story ends … “everyone safely reached the shore.”
Paul held on to God’s promise and actually saved the lives of everyone on the ship. He was not affected by what he saw with his physical eyes. He was motivated to action by what he saw by faith. By upholding the standard to live by God’s word alone, he survived the storm.
May we have the courage to live today with rock solid conviction and courage to live by God’s word alone.
Don't jump ship!
Christina
