Can the story of a shipwreck be a story of hope? It is when the travelers had been lost on stormy seas for weeks, and the ship’s crash lasting was on an inhabited island, bringing all the travelers to safety. This is the story of Paul’s voyage to Rome—the most dramatic sea voyage in the Bible. The story gives us powerful guidance for any time when we find ourselves on “stormy seas.” It gives us three key messages:

Listen to God, not your fears. When we are facing great trouble, fear can dominate our thinking; but we need to remember that God is with us, and God is at work for good.
Trust that God, not the storm, holds your future. Such trust requires perseverance, because for us, as for Paul, it may be that things keep getting worse, and we cannot see past the storm. But our destiny lies with God, and God is greater than the storm!
Act for others, rather than self. When facing “shipwreck,” it is natural to focus on saving oneself! But what is inspiring in the story of Paul is how he is continually reaching out to save others. Christ would inspire each of us to use a time of trial as an opportunity to reach out as a part of a larger purpose.

Christ—not the storm—has the last word. May we put our trust in Christ, and find in Him real and lasting hope.

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Sunday’s Scripture Readings:
Acts 27:1–44

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About the Author

Dr. David A. Palmer has been the senior pastor at the United Methodist Church of Kent since 1995. He has a B.A. from Wittenberg University, a Master of Divinity from Duke University, and a Doctor of Ministry from Princeton Theological Seminary. A native of Wooster, Ohio, he has served three other churches in east Ohio before coming to Kent. He and his wife, Mavis, have three children.