All That Really Matters
Acts 27:18-20; 30-32; 38;42-44 New International Version
18We took such a violent battering from the storm that the next day they began to throw the cargo overboard. 19On the third day, they threw the ship's tackle overboard with their own hands. 20When neither sun nor stars appeared for many days and the storm continued raging, we finally gave up all hope of being saved.
30In an attempt to escape from the ship, the sailors let the lifeboat down into the sea, pretending they were going to lower some anchors from the bow. 31Then Paul said to the centurion and the soldiers, "Unless these men stay with the ship, you cannot be saved." 32So the soldiers cut the ropes that held the lifeboat and let it fall away.
38When they had eaten as much as they wanted, they lightened the ship by throwing the grain into the sea.
42The soldiers planned to kill the prisoners to prevent any of them from swimming away and escaping. 43 But the centurion wanted to spare Paul's life and kept them from carrying out their plan. He ordered those who could swim to jump overboard first and get to land. 44 The rest were to get there on planks or on pieces of the ship. In this way everyone reached land in safety.
Journal, July 26th 1998
Acts 27:18-20; 30-32; 38;42-44 New International Version
18We took such a violent battering from the storm that the next day they began to throw the cargo overboard. 19On the third day, they threw the ship's tackle overboard with their own hands. 20When neither sun nor stars appeared for many days and the storm continued raging, we finally gave up all hope of being saved.
30In an attempt to escape from the ship, the sailors let the lifeboat down into the sea, pretending they were going to lower some anchors from the bow. 31Then Paul said to the centurion and the soldiers, "Unless these men stay with the ship, you cannot be saved." 32So the soldiers cut the ropes that held the lifeboat and let it fall away.
38When they had eaten as much as they wanted, they lightened the ship by throwing the grain into the sea.
42The soldiers planned to kill the prisoners to prevent any of them from swimming away and escaping. 43 But the centurion wanted to spare Paul's life and kept them from carrying out their plan. He ordered those who could swim to jump overboard first and get to land. 44 The rest were to get there on planks or on pieces of the ship. In this way everyone reached land in safety.
Journal, July 26th 1998
The Storm at Sea, Acts 27
What a picture this seemed to me as I read it, of our life journey. Having met with three elderly friends this week, I am struck by the fact that the things we spend so much time and attention on all our lives, are of absolutely no importance at the end (if they have been of the material kind that is).
In the story of the storm at sea in Acts 27, bit by bit, important items and equipment were thrown overboard, until at last nothing remained, not even the ship - but no one's life was lost.
Prayer: Dear Lord, may it be so as we journey to the land that is our destination. May things, and all else but your Kingdom, be forfeited gladly, and may our motivation be only to reach that shore and take as many fellow travellers with us as we can!
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