To Rome at last!
By this time, Paul had already written Romans 8:28: We know that all things synergise for good for those who love God and are called according to His purpose. Paul had already learned this truth through many hard trials. He would know it better after his adventure at sea. All things synergise for good is not only a powerful theological principle. For Paul, it’s a lived experience, a deep conviction that determines his posture and behaviour in every situation.
Paul doesn’t know how to act like a prisoner. He doesn’t allow his status and circumstances to set his mood or govern his actions. Throughout this journey, he takes the initiative again and again. He doesn’t just let things happen. He makes things happen. He doesn’t wait for opportunities. He creates opportunities and he makes the most of them.
For example:
- He gives a word of wisdom and warning against sailing from fair havens (Acts 27:9-12).
- When all hell breaks loose and hope is abandoned, he shares a word of encouragement with his despairing shipmates: “I urge you to take heart, for there will be no loss of life among you …” (Acts 27:22).
- He blows the whistle when the sailors try to abandon the ship (Acts 27:31).
- After two weeks of corporate fasting, Paul takes matters into his own hands and hosts a dinner for all on board (Acts 27:33-37).
- After the shipwreck, he heals all the sick on the island of Malta (Acts 28:7-10).
Divine Providence stimulates us to take responsible and redemptive action in a world lost at sea.
And so on to the end of Acts. Paul stands tall through it all, a lighthouse above the tempest. Between the lines of this true story, Luke offers us a dramatic theology of suffering for the sake of the Gospel. The worst of the storm brings out the best of Paul. As a prisoner in chains, he could have made every excuse to mind his own business and lick his wounds. But no! He seizes every opportunity and makes a difference in every situation. He warns. He encourages. He feeds his shipmates. He shepherds them all to safety.
This is the place of a disciple and the Church of Jesus in a world beset by storm. Divine Providence does not pre-empt human responsibility. On the contrary, Providence stimulates us to take responsible and redemptive action in a world lost at sea.
All hands on deck!
Fast and pray
A fitting tribute. The authors of Men in White, The Untold Story of Singapore’s Ruling Party, dedicated their work to Singapore’s greatest generation who grew up in untold hardship and privations, suffered under British colonialism and Japanese occupation, experienced social and political upheaval, and yet picked up the pieces to rebuild their lives, get married and raise families while laying the foundation for the peace and prosperity of a new nation.
- All hands on deck. Mr Lee Kuan Yew was a great man who loved his country and who answered the nation’s call at a time of crisis and upheaval (Othman Wok). We salute our Founding Father and his pioneer team who steered Singapore to safety and success when beset by storm. Lest we forget, let us give thanks to God. Allow the Holy Spirit to overwhelm you with a deep sense of gratitude as you think back on the Singapore story:
Over 60 years ago, we were emerging from the shadows of colonialism and war. We were a daunting mess. We had no natural resources. We were ethnically divided. Morale was low. Unemployment was high. Labour strikes were rife. Politics were shaky. Neighbours were hostile. We had very little chance of success. Lee Kuan Yew and his team could have given up and walked away. But they stuck it out. They laid aside personal ambitions. They rolled up their sleeves. They worked hard. They suffered setbacks. But they never gave up. They laid strong foundations for the common good, creating equal opportunity for all – regardless of race, language or religion. They transformed Singapore from Third World to First in 40 years or less.
- All hands on deck. Anyone can steer a ship well when the sea is calm and when skies are blue. But it’s your conduct in the midst of storm that will set you apart as an outstanding leader. Pray for millennials. On their watch, may they remember our Founding Fathers. May they emulate their excellent example and learn from their lives. Their clarity of purpose. The thinking behind their policies. Their values. Their integrity. Their non-communal stance. Their convictions. Their high standards. Their foresight. Their sense of togetherness, toughness and ability to turn weaknesses into strengths (PM Lee Hsien Loong). Ask God for a greater measure of grace to stay true to the spirit of our pioneers and overcome the odds in the gathering storm.
- All hands on deck. The world is at war. Beyond the military aspect, it is also a spiritual, emotional, mental and ideological conflict. God calls us to shepherd our nation with empathy and compassion. When family members or friends go through battles, who do they turn to? Are we their first line of care and support? Their trusted go-to leaders? Retired US General Colin Powell said: “Leadership is solving problems. The day soldiers stop bringing you their problems is the day you have stopped leading them. They have either lost confidence that you can help or concluded you do not care. Either case is a failure of leadership.”
Examine yourself. Pray.
Read the devotional from Day 35, August 4: Goaded to go here.
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