Trusting him

Acts 27:20 “When neither sun nor stars appeared for many days and the storm continued raging, we finally gave up all hope of being saved.” (NIV)*

English: A Ship Wrecked in a Storm off a Rocky Coast (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Paul had warned them. He told them their voyage was going to be disastrous. But the centurion followed what he could see (blue skies), trusted man’s experience (the owner and pilot), ignored the man of God (Paul’s insight), and kept going. It did look good. For awhile…

Acts 27:13 “When a gentle south wind began to blow, they thought they had obtained what they wanted…” (NIV)*

…until hurricane force winds overtook the ship. They took such a battering from the storm that they began throwing cargo overboard, and on the third day pitched the tackle into the churning sea.

This story unsettles me. Life can be going smoothly. The wisdom of this world may say things are great, keep going as is. But this story reminds to keep tuned to the voice of the Lord…even when skies are blue. Let his whispers direct the ship. Does he say change direction or put a pause on the plan?

And then there’s this…when we find ourselves in a storm we didn’t see coming. Didn’t see or hear warning signs. Sometimes life just happens or we’re caught in the middle of someone else’s mess…or, our own. What then?

Hold tighter to my hand.

Call to me, for I can be trusted.

I’ll carry you through the storms of life.

*The One Year Bible, New International Version, copyright 1986, Tyndale House Publishers, Wheaton, Illinois.