In Acts 27 - Paul, other prisoners, and sailors find themselves in the midst of a great storm. There came a point when the winds were so strong that the sailors could only take their hands off of the wheel (v 15), lest the ship be tossed and broken.
There are many lessons to be learned from this event in history.
1.Listen to advice from Godly people to avoid the storm.
2. Don't follow the majority simply because they make logical sense.
3. Some storms can be avoided.
4. If you wind up in the storm, lighten the load - extra baggage does you no good in a storm.
5. Know whose you are. There is an abundance of knowledge, protection, relationships, opportunities, and blessings just from that knowledge alone.
The lessons that you can get from this scripture go on and on (The WORD is rich y'all)!
Primarily, but briefly, I want to focus on this one fact; You cannot drive a ship well while in a storm. Even though smaller storms are easier to navigate through, and the repercussions are not as great, a small storm can seriously injure. The size of the storm, and severity of the repercussions from the outcome, typically have a directly proportional relationship. In other words, the bigger the storm is, the more damage it can do... potentially.
The ship in the scripture example represents your life. As with the ship, your life has a purpose, route, and a destination. They both have a captain, a crew, and passengers.You, your family and friends, and those folks that are just along for the ride. They both have luggage, and baggage. Some things you need, and some you do not. And, they both WILL encounter storms.
Knowing that there are storms coming can be scary. But, knowing that they are coming also gives us the opportunity to prepare for the storms, and the opportunity to learn what to do while in the storm. Here the crew tried everything to make the situation better. Eventually it was realized that the best thing to do was take their hands away from the wheel, and allow the storm to drive them. We have to get to a point, sooner or later, when we realize that God is in control of everything, that includes the storm! Prov 16:9 says that a man makes plans, but God makes the way. We must realize that the storm was designed by God to accomplish a purpose. Maybe to get your attention, maybe to warn you, maybe to begin or end a relationship, or maybe to call you home to glory. Regardless though, we have to take our hands off and let Him guide. Trusting Him while in the storm might be difficult, but it is vital. We tend to, just like the crew from the scripture, try everything first and eventually release the control. This surrendering is what God wants. It’s obedience. God honors this, and this is when we are in His divine will. Let go of the wheel!
By the way, while your hands are off the wheel go ahead and raise them a little bit higher and give God some praise.
We love you, and we are praying for you
~Pastor Erroyl and Sis Pinky
SALT
Sis Pinky's prayer
Father,
Help me to take my hands off the wheel in every aspect of my life. Help me to surrender and praise You for being Alpha and Omega!
In Jesus’s name we pray,
Amen
