Rebound

Finishing my reading of the Book of Acts today and I noticed a great principle embedded in chapter 27.

It is interesting that this wrap-up account of Paul's life is given great attention...more so than most other major events in the book.

Here is what I noticed:

1. Paul has important insight that the weather is turning bad and if they proceed it will result in injury and much loss (:10-11). They, however, pay no attention to him and instead, they "put out to sea." All 276 of them sail into the teeth of disaster...and Paul must go with them!

2. Paul is right in his sense of things, and the counsel they follow is wrong.

3. For days the ship is beaten up by the weather...stuff is thrown overboard to lighten the ship, no one has eaten for days...and now Paul gets another word: from an angel - that no life will be lost, but that the ship will run aground. His declaration: "I have faith in God that it will be exactly as I have been told."

And that is exactly what does happen.
For the second time Paul is right...but with their actions, his prayers (?) and the angel's appearance, the word he has been given now, changes greatly.

It's all there in the 27th chapter of Acts...fascinating reading. (I wonder if the chapter has any rival in detailing maritime travel in the 1st century?..and what it also does to reinforce the confidence we can have in the inspiration of scripture?)

But, to the point I see and the idea: REBOUND.

What so often happens in our walk with Jesus follows somewhat along these lines:
1. We get a word, a prompt, a direction that affects others....and we share it.
2. It is not followed or attended to...or perhaps even affirmed.
3. Unlike Paul, we get hurt and pull back...taking up an offense.
4. We close down and "I won't try that again" becomes an operational inside read.

Instead, Paul is showing us a new way:
1. Share what you sense God has given you
...serve humbly, leaving the results to God.

2. Stay "on the boat" no matter what they do or don't do with it.
(Paul didn't have an option in this matter....but we often do.)

3. Keep listening to God and sharing what He keeps giving you.
I think Paul must have been much in prayer as the storm worsened.
He kept opening his heart up, not closing it down
...until, in the midst of craziness, he can recieve an angel.

4. Focus on people who need God contact...not on yourself
Always needing validation, affirmation? or is it only me? :)

5. The "ride" can have some shipwrecks in it, and some sopping wet moments
...but even then, the hand of God can be mightily at work.

6. Don't shipwreck yourself, when the "boat" you are all in is in tough water.
You might be the only stability, God-antenna, true north person on board.


Let's keep rebounding
...letting the unaffirmed moments get transformed into new strengths.

Selah.

David