The Storm (Part 5)

Acts 27:39-43

“39 In the morning they did not recognize the land, but they noticed a bay with a beach, on which they planned to run the ship ashore, if they could. 40 So they cast off the anchors and left them in the sea. At the same time they loosened the ropes that tied the steering-oars; then hoisting the foresail to the wind, they made for the beach. 41 But striking a reef, they ran the ship aground; the bow stuck and remained immovable, but the stern was being broken up by the force of the waves. 42 The soldiers’ plan was to kill the prisoners, so that none might swim away and escape; 43 but the centurion, wishing to save Paul, kept them from carrying out their plan. He ordered those who could swim to jump overboard first and make for the land, 44 and the rest to follow, some on planks and others on pieces of the ship. And so it was that all were brought safely to land.”

The day broke and the ship’s crew spotted an unknown land with a bay and a beach.  And “hoisting the forsail to the wind, they made for the beach.”  Luke, the writer of Acts, was not only a physician but he must have also been a sailor at some point in his life.

The beautiful bay with the beach called to them, but they struck a reef and ran aground where the ship was broken into pieces by the force of the waves.  The soldiers actually wanted to kill all the prisoners fearing they would somehow escape.  If the prisoners escaped, the guards would face death as punishment.  Julius the centurion stopped this plan, and Paul and the rest of the prisoners and crew made it safely to shore on planks and pieces of the ship.

Paul’s life had been a roller coaster ride since that fateful day, so many years ago, on the road to Damascus when he had met Christ.  

Christ does not promise us smooth sailing.  He does not promise us that everyone will love us.   He does not promise us prosperity or material wealth.   He does not promise us the thrills of high adventure.  

He does, however, promise us forgiveness of our sins when we repent, a relationship with God, and an everlasting life.  

And that is thrilling enough for me.

May the love of Christ be with you,

Rev. Eric Lanier (Retired)