Acts 27:13-
- When a
gentle south wind began to blow, they thought they had obtained what they
wanted; so they weighed anchor and sailed along the shore of Crete.
Before very long, a wind of hurricane force,
called the "northeaster," swept
down from the island.
The ship was
caught by the storm and could not head into the wind; so we gave way to it and
were driven along.
Paul was being taken to Rome to meet with Caesar. The travel was hard…they changed boats often…and
the wind that powered the boats was not always favorable. It seemed that they
were just past the difficult part as a gentle wind began to take them where
they wanted to go…but then a terrible storm caught the ship. They could do nothing but give in to the sea…and
the harsh winds…and let it drive them where it may.
Wait…I thought as I read this story…this sounds like my
life! I have been on a journey to...somewhere…just like this for 53 years! I
have changed boats many times…and it seems that every time a gentle wind begins
to steer me where I think I should go….a storm raises up out of nowhere to toss
me into confusion.
It is not until I
give in to the storm…and allow it to drive me where it wants that I begin to
lean on the father…and learn the valuable lesson he intended from the challenge
of the storm.
Paul’s storm…allowed by God…was so that he could win more
lives…he was able to witness not only to the prisoners and other passengers on
the boat…but he ended up touching the lives of a whole village with the message
of God.
Paul is a beacon ….a sort of
lighthouse for the prisoners…the crew of the ships he sailed on…and the village
where they run aground.
Over and over he
tells them to take courage….that his amazing God has already revealed to him
that death will not come on this journey…and if they stay near to Paul….who has
been protected by God till he arrives in Rome to speak to Caesar...they will
all be covered by the grace God gave to him.
We are all called to be lighthouses…beacons of God’s love
and grace.
We are to go where he leads
us…and learn from the storms of life that God is in control…because there are
lives for us to touch with his love.
We
must give in to God’s plan…and allow the storm he allowed to cross our peaceful
lives… teach us how to love him more deeply that we ever imagined…so that we
can show that amazing love to others.
Maybe if we listened a little closer we would hear that angel he sent to
tell us how it would end….to urge us to take courage.
Father…thank you for every storm you have allowed to cross
my life.
And thank you for the lessons
each one has taught me about your amazing love. Let your sweet mercy continue
to guide me and drive where you want…not where I think I should go.
Help me to give in to the strong winds of
your love….and let them drive me where you need me to go…to be your light…to a
world that does not know your love….or the ones who know your love but have
turned from you and are confused as to how to grab your hand again.
Forgive me Lord…for my lack of faith…for my
constant questions of why…and the way I have fought you in the past.
Help me to think of this story….to be more
like Paul…and listen for your angels to announce your plan for me….and tell
those around me to take courage…I know how this will end! Amen.
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