Survival

SURVIVAL

a prayer to open

Holy Spirit, come. Center my heart.

Fill my mind. Guide my steps.

About midnight on the fourteenth night of the storm, . . . the sailors sensed land was near. They dropped a weighted line and found that the water was 120 feet deep. But a little later they measured again and found it was only 90 feet deep. At this rate they were afraid we would soon be driven against the rocks along the shore, so they threw out four anchors from the back of the ship and prayed for daylight.

Then the sailors tried to abandon the ship; they lowered the lifeboat as though they were going to put out anchors from the front of the ship. But Paul said to the commanding officer and the soldiers, “You will all die unless the sailors stay aboard.” So the soldiers cut the ropes to the lifeboat and let it drift away.

Just as day was dawning, Paul urged everyone to eat. “You have been so worried that you haven’t touched food for two weeks,” he said. “Please eat something now for your own good. For not a hair of your heads will perish.” Then he took some bread, gave thanks to God before them all, and broke off a piece and ate it. Then everyone was encouraged and began to eat—all 276 of us who were on board. After eating, the crew lightened the ship further by throwing the cargo of wheat overboard.

When morning dawned, they didn’t recognize the coastline, but they saw a bay with a beach and wondered if they could get to shore by running the ship aground. So they cut off the anchors and left them in the sea. Then they lowered the rudders, raised the foresail, and headed toward shore. But they hit a shoal and ran the ship aground too soon. The bow of the ship stuck fast, while the stern was repeatedly smashed by the force of the waves and began to break apart.

The soldiers wanted to kill the prisoners to make sure they didn’t swim ashore and escape. But the commanding officer wanted to spare Paul, so he didn’t let them carry out their plan. Then he ordered all who could swim to jump overboard first and make for land. The others held on to planks or debris from the broken ship. So everyone escaped safely to shore.

In the midst of pounding waves, darkness, and guaranteed shipwreck, Paul urged his shipmates to eat. He took bread, thanked God, broke the bread, and then gave it to all 276 people aboard to eat. Of course, as we read this passage and wonder what the sailors, prisoners, and Roman officials must have thought as Paul did this, we can’t help but think of the Last Supper. They couldn’t have known the significance, and we don’t know what might have happened in their hearts as they participated. Paul knew that this sustenance—both spiritual and physical—would give them the strength and courage to survive. And when a new day dawned, all were saved.

• Read this passage again. What word or phrase stands out to you? Sit quietly, reminding yourself that you are in God’s loving presence, and ask him to show you how that word or phrase connects to your life.
• Reflect on the rhythms of work and rest that you practice. Do you see any signs of exhaustion, an inability to be present, restlessness, or anxiety? What disciplines (rest, exercise, sleep, prayer, something else) do you need to incorporate more so you don’t burn out or get sick in body or soul? What keeps you from doing these things?
• Who in your life is running themselves ragged? How could you encourage them to do what they need to do to prevent burnout and illness? What would get their attention and catalyze change?

Father, thank you for the reminder to take care of my body and soul, especially in seasons of stress, busyness, and pain. Help me to grow in the discipline of rest and to care for myself so I can live a long life and serve you until my last breath. I want to measure my life by the love I give, not by the number of hours I work or the amount of money I make. Renew in me a fire for what matters, and enable me to turn my time and attention toward those things. May you be seen in and through me. Amen.