A Stumbler's Walk | OVERBOARD

And when they had eaten enough, they lightened the ship, throwing out the wheat into the sea... So they cast off the anchors and left them in the sea.

- Acts 27:38,40 

There come times when we need to throw some things overboard; when we must leave old anchors out to sea.

Paul had a message from God. It was not one he, or those with him wanted to hear. In the midst of the blowing tempest, he told those in charge of the prisoner ship that everyone on board would be spared. However, he said, they must be willing to run aground. They must be willing to face shipwreck.

276 men clutched to the rails, the mast, anything they could as the storm violently rocked them. The ship, they thought, was their hope and salvation. However, their wooden hope was being shaken apart plank by plank. 

There come times when we have exhausted possibilities. We’ve worked through the options and are at a loss. It is at this point that desperate faith takes over. (How much better it is to begin with desperate faith, than to be driven to it.)

And when they had eaten enough, they lightened the ship, throwing out the wheat into the sea. (v.38)

We are wise to prepare for our tomorrows. However, we must realize that our plan for tomorrow is near-sighted. We should never be so confused as to think our plans give us control. Jesus called such a man who trusted himself and his plan for tomorrow a fool (Luke 12:18). 

The men aboard Paul's ship threw overboard their provision for tomorrow (some by faith, and certainly, some by force). The result? Rather than one more meal aboard a sinking ship, they found life.

So they cast off the anchors and left them in the sea. (v.40)

The men’s last hope of riding out the storm in their ship was abandoned when they let go of the anchor ropes. They were completely at the mercy of the wind and the waves. Or so they thought. It was actually at this point that God’s provision was activated. The analogy is too easy; Jesus is the true anchor of our souls and lives. Any other anchor is faulty and we must let go the rope.

So we cast the wheat overboard and let go the anchor ropes. What’s next? A pleasant cruise into a sandy shore? We would like to think so, but that is seldom reality. No, a reef stood in the way, and shipwreck was the means to realizing God’s plan of grace. 

All 276 would later say it was well worth it when gathered around a beach fire. The difficulties of life are always easier in retrospect.

Two questions: 

Am I willing to throw the wheat overboard? 

Will I let go the anchor rope?

God, guide me to the beach.

For now...

D