Driftwood
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. Acts 27:43-44 NLT
Sometimes the visible hand of God is manifest. And He miraculously allows us to walk on water, as when Jesus bid Peter to come to Him safely during a storm (Matthew 14). At other times, it is the invisible hand of God that is moving unseen in our storms and our circumstances, such as in Paul’s shipwreck in The Book of Acts.
We desire the miraculous. We want to walk on water. We want the quick and easy rescue! But isn’t it enough that God’s sovereign hand is still rescuing us, beloved? The Lord appeared and spoke to Paul that everyone on the sinking ship would be saved, but no one would be walking on water during this present shipwreck. No. Those who could swim to shore did so. While others had to grab onto the broken boards and bits of timber to get to shore.
Paul’s shared his words (inspired by Jesus’ words) with the captain, crew and passengers alike. Were those aboard the fracturing ship frightened? Surely. Especially, those who could not swim! Those who could not swim would have to cling to the debris and “driftwood” to come to shore safely.
I don’t know what storms you are facing in life. Perhaps your life has already been shipwrecked? Your circumstances may be dire, you may even be without hope, but be encouraged saint! The Lord God can bring you safely to shore still; it may be that He does it miraculously, it may happen through the natural talents and giftings He has already given to you. Or you may find yourself arriving very slowly to the shore—fighting through the fierce torrent, crashing waves and debris. Nevertheless, and at long last, safely you will come to the earthen shore… rescued! Though you may still be clutching the driftwood of your broken life.
God will not leave you stranded on the beachhead either. For the greatest rescue is still unfolding. Regardless of how His navigating hand rescues us through the storms of this life, at some point we must all desperately cling to the driftwood of the Cross of Christ. That alone will carry us safely through the deep to the distant shores of Heaven.
—Paul
Image: Public Domain