Do you enjoy reading? If so you have options regarding what format you read (hard copies or e-books) and even what device you choose to read on.
Do you like to stay in touch with others? If so you have myriad of options on how you do so. (text, email, phone, instant message, etc.)
Between all of our technological gadgets we have lots of options. Although the job markets are tight, one still has options on what field they choose to study or work in. Even in our relationships we have options. In choosing how react, we have options. God gave His people the option of choosing life or death. And with our choosing to say yes to one thing, we ultimately say no to something else. There are some days I feel stuck between some of the good choices I have but even still I enjoy the benefit of having options or what I consider a fall back plan.
Is it Still a Good Option
The text of yesterday’s sermon was from Acts 27, which tells about Paul’s stormed rocked trip to Rome. As the pastor spoke about divine guidance, protection and provision, one particular passage from the story was nailed into my consciousness.
So the soldiers cut the ropes to the lifeboat and let it drift away.
Acts 27: 32 (NLT)
Why was this significant? Because just a few verses above (see verses 21-25) these men had agreed to follow Paul’s instruction on how to weather the storm. However, these instructions was not just man’s instruction but from God. Obedience to the instructions didn’t give them some rosy promise that nothing would be lost. No, in fact God told them the ship would go down. They would be shipwrecked but their lives would be saved. Now to men sailing out on choppy seas fearing their death that had to sound like some good news.
Yet with time the storm worsen and fear set in more than the word they had received so they attempted to rely on their fall back plan—a life boat. Rather than hold their position they sought to get out. Sound like a reasonable idea but it was what they had been instructed to do. At Paul’s reminder that they would all die unless everyone stayed in the ship, they had to weigh their options—trust God’s instruction or rely on their own wisdom.
Where’s Your Lifeboat
You and I aren’t sailing out on natural choppy seas but life sure has a way of feeling a bit rocky. Does it not? Just like the those sailors, we face the options of obedience or self-reliance. In takes faith to cut the ropes of personal lifeboats and let them drift away. But it’s in letting go of our options that we demonstrate our reliance on God. Cutting away the lifeboats and following God’s command does not mean we will not experience storms or lost but we will survive through it.
This week I’m keeping a watchful eye out for those little lifeboats of mine that promise away around the storms but aren’t the ships I have been called to sail in at this time.
What are you clasping onto these days-your little lifeboat or the Word?
Wanda, this was one of my favorite posts that you have ever written. I just loved your analogy about the lifeboats. The image was very powerful in my mind, and it brought the lesson home so well. One of the toughest things about this move to my new mountain home, has been letting go of the things that brought me security for so many years. Mostly family, friends, familiar and convenient places. But, I don’t want to cling to the things of this life for security.
Even if I shipwreck, I want to keep my eyes on the One who’s walking on the water!
GOD BLESS!
Reading your comment brought a smile to my face Sharon. I wasn’t sure if I aptly communicated what had been impressed upon my heart as I read that passage, although that wasn’t the point the pastor was bringing out. It was the take home message for me. Time to throw some life boats over board, which is easy as you know. Love your last line…reminds me that whatever peril I find myself in He can reach me. And when we choose to focus on Him our situation doesn’t change but it changes how we see it.
self-reliance can be such a headrush, can’t it.
dependence on God is a daily challenge
…thanking the good shepherd for his deft capable hands
in getting the job done in us:)
thanks for the sweet stir,
Jennifer
It certainly can until it leads us wrecked and on the wrong course. I too am grateful for a guide those knows all too well how to get us on the right path. Have a great week Jennifer.
You’re preaching to me, Wanda, and using one of my favorite adventures (Acts 27) to do it, no less. Oh, boy!!! Help me, Jesus. I have been, with great difficult, letting go of my back-up plans and little life boats for some time now. It has been DIFFICULT!!! Honestly and truly, I’m not sure that anything hurts as much as deliberatly letting a little life boat go. I feel as if I’m walking on water, but I guess that is what you’re talking about…depending completely on His word.
Oh LaVonne, I certainly didn’t mean to step on your toes my friend. This Word hit me so that I wanted to write it down so that I can have it to go back to. Our little boats seem to offer us life but God is ever so gently urging me to let those things go. Because I don’t want to hit the water if I can help it…but He doesn’t promise me I will not wet only that I will arrive safe.
Hi Wanda, 🙂
Oh dear, sometimes I find myself in situations where I’m very likely (and do!) fall off the boat, and it’s all too easy to feel defeated and let my mistakes haunt me; but I know I should not become preoccupied with it and let it cripple me! Because my faith is in Christ, I can rest in the present and look forward to what God will help me to become. I must realize that I am forgiven and move on to a faithful life of obedience. 🙂
Blessings and love dear sister!
Denise
Hello Denise, I find myself refusing to even get on some boats for the fear of being shipwrecked but it just shows that my focus is all wrong. When God instructs me to sail and can be assured that He’ll get me to proper destination. May we each move forward as He leads us.
You have given me a thought to ponder about….I do waste time when I need the Bible as my lifeboat…why do we cling to this life so much???
Why??? now that’s a hard one to answer Kim. I suppose it just the way we are made. It takes a choice and determination to really walk that choice out daily to focus on that which is eternal. There’s so much in this life to consume our time and attention.
Wanda I would have to say, my heart is the anchor and I’m listening!
It is difficult to have faith, at times, but I don’t think I will be steered wrong~
<3 your post! 😀
Glad you’re in tune with and following the beat of your heart Ella.
Me Staying In His Hands and don’t get out of them…I must go through the storms, but I must remember that He is with. I grow through the storms…He would never send me out anywhere that He would not go. His far more in head of us…We just have to TRUST In HIM…AMEN!! Agape! Wanda
No safer place to be now is there Ms Betty? Trust is the key indeed.
Great food for thought Wanda. Although you wrote this months ago it’s just what I needed for today. Hope you had a great Thanksgiving.
With me rearranging my blog, I was able to bring some oldies back to the forefront. I reread this one myself and found it was a timely reread for me as well Bernadine.
I find myself relying too much on my personal lifeboat and not enough on prayer and Word of God. I needed this important reminder.
Debbie, those personal lifeboats can be places of comfort for us indeed. I want to be one that willingly walks out of those boats but far too many times I cling to them far too tightly and too long.