Covid Daze: Stay in the Boat and Eat Something

Text: Acts 27

On his way to Rome, Paul found himself in a tight spot.

Already a prisoner of the Roman Empire and being transported to stand trial before Caesar, the ship carrying him – and two hundred and seventy five others – had run into several problems crossing the Mediterranean Sea.  Slow and difficult sailing had hampered their voyage – and now, having ignored Paul’s advice, the captain had driven them directly into a massive storm, battering the ship day and night, and threatening the lives of all those on board.

Hope of survival was fading when Paul, assured them, ‘None of your lives will be lost,’ though he added ominously, ‘though we will lose the ship.’ (v. 22)

Paul had seen a vision and he knew that God had something more for him to do in Rome.

But now fourteen days in, some of the men began to panic.  Afraid that they might run aground, they dumped cargo, and then began dropping the anchors of the ship.  Some men even grabbed the lifeboat and tried to abandon ship. 

To these men, Paul gave a warning: ‘Unless you stay in the ship, you can’t be saved from peril.’ (v. 33) And so, they cut the ropes and let the lifeboat float away empty.

It was a dark and deeply uncertain moment for these sailors.  Even after Paul’s assurances, they didn’t know what would happen next – the constant tension and uncertainty was exhausting and exacting a toll on their mind, body, and soul. 

Seeing this, Paul had a suggestion: ‘This is the fourteenth day you’ve lived in suspense, and you’ve not had even a bite to eat.  I urge you to take some food.  Your health depends on it.’ (v. 34)

Then Paul, ‘took bread, gave thanks to God in front of them all, then broke it and began to eat,’ and when they had eaten as much as they wanted, they lightened the ship by throwing the grain into the sea.’ (vv. 35, 38)  

We have been living in suspense now for far longer now than fourteen days, afloat in a storm that has tested our hope and imagination, our perseverance and resilience. 

Even so, I believe Paul’s words to the men on the ship are instructive for us: Stay on the boat and eat something.  Stay connected to Body of Christ and find nourishment for our minds, our bodies, and our souls in the fellowship of believers. 

After those on Paul’s ship had eaten, they went to bed, and ‘in the morning light they saw a bay with a sandy beach.’ (v. 39)  They were saved!

We will not be held in suspense forever and the morning light is approaching.  As my daughter likes to declare at daybreak, much to my chagrin: ‘The sky is the morning sky!’ 

And by the light of that morning sky, we will find our beach soon!