Joyful Ruins

Acts 27: 1-26

Here we have Paul traveling with others to his trial before Caesar. At one point Paul can see going a certain direction will lead them into a bad storm and he advises the leaders of the voyage to stop and avoid the storm. However, the owner of the ship saw no warning of a bad storm and in the end, the majority in the ship chooses to press on.

Soon enough, a terrible storm hits their ship. To save themselves, they throw cargo overboard, then the ship’s tackle, they even throw their hope overboard. Paul, after all these hard things have happened, once they are all hungry and hopeless, receives a message from the Lord’s angel and shares it with the crew. Keep courage. All will survive this. Have faith in God.

Now, the story goes on to some more trials, but they escape the storm and every life is saved.

This situation reminds me SO much of our relationship and walk with God. As we walk, we choose different paths. God may tell us, warn us, that one path leads to a storm, but instead, we listen to ourselves or the world and continue on.

Before long we are in the midst of a hurricane and still, rather than cry out to God, we try to save ourselves. We scramble to persevere through the situation and God, in His mercy, lightens our load. We may lose friends or money or sleep. As we wrestle against the storm on our own, not looking to God, we are pushed to be in a state of hopelessness.

Just like the crew, we’ve thrown everything overboard, including our hope, we’re starving, and finally we cry out and God comes in. Sometimes, oftentimes, the Lord lets us get to our lowest, weakest point, because it is in that place we have no choice but to finally cry out to Him.

And what does He do in return? Does He punish us or chastise us for ignoring His advice and trying to rescue ourselves?

No. He says, “Take courage. Have faith. You’re saved”. He guides us and teaches us. He feeds us.

It’s a beautiful end to a disaster, but let us take heed from this story and remember to turn to Him first and seek His guidance and wisdom.