Acts 27- The Shipwreck

A life like Jesus, a life on the altar, a living sacrifice; It’s hard and so not what most of us were taught or grew up around, and definitely not what the world tells us to do. Oh but how worth it it is, how abundant life is when we remain in the Lord (John 10:10). I have been struggling to understand and describe what total surrender should look like or mean, and reading Acts 27 this morning has shown me exactly what it should look like. In Acts 27, Paul is on a ship with 276 people. The ship had just endured a massive storm and was in the process of sinking. In order to keep afloat, the men had to throw over all the grain they had and cut the ropes to the lifeboat. They had no idea when they would reach land, but they had word from God to not be afraid. That’s all. The word of God, and so they did all they could to stay afloat and remain in his promises. They threw out their food and broke off their ties with their only lifeboat, because they heard and trusted the word of God. This is what full surrender looks like. Wow, Jesus let your people be a people of unbreakable hope and complete trust in you. 

In order to run the race of this life with the Lord we must cut ties and throw out all that is drowning us and trust and dwell in his word and goodness, even when it seems insane to throw out your only physical food, or cut the ropes to your only way of escape. An abundant life is the one Jesus has for you, so we must be listening and then act in obedience. “In this way everyone reached land safely” Acts 27:44. To make it to our final destination and be able to say that I lived my life completely surrendered to the Spirit offers a bigger reward and satisfaction than anything that this temporary world could ever have to offer, because it is glorifying to the Lord. We must continue to seek the Lord’s voice and trust in him. 

This is good, this is a relief. Lord, thank you for giving me an abundant life where I have unexplainable hope and peace. Lord, strengthen my faith and help my unbelief. For a life in you, is the only thing my soul truly desires. Jesus, continue to purify and refine me until the end of my life. You are all that is good in me and I want to love like you love more everyday. God, revive and give sight to your people, show them what this life is for and where we find our sustainment and pride, only in you. 

This world is nothing but a shipwreck, but all we can do is stay afloat by becoming more like Jesus everyday, which means living a life on the altar, for the Kingdom. This is where we will find full satisfaction and joy. Thank you Jesus! You are so good! God, keep your people afloat and joyful in the valleys and mountain tops. You are too good to not believe in your glorious power!!! Let us be a testament to this everyday!

In Acts 28, the people on the ship made it to land and were welcomed with radical generosity, hospitality and “unusual kindness.” How I long for the day to be welcomed into home. God, equip your people and move your people with so much compassion that they have no other choice but to live a life glorifying to your name. You are too good to be contained and rationed. Jesus would you consume your people and show them who you really are. All praise and glory to you God.