Tonight I look forward to the sunsets to come, as I sit in a warm house with a storm raging outside. I am blessed to have a wonderful family, strong friends, a house and warmth. I also realise that I can’t do everything everyday, I have to give up on doing somethings. The problem comes with working out what is not essential and what I need to do.
How many people abandon a prayer time in favour of getting through more stuff? Yes I have, to my detriment.
The next day as we were being violently storm-tossed, they began to jettison the cargo;
When we are in a storm then we are called upon to look to the essential.
My faith is essential to my life. Being on a journey and trying to please God is an awesome journey that I try to do every day, and many days I fail as I am humbled by how others connect more with God than me, but it doesn’t stop me getting up the next day and starting again.
21 But after long abstinence from food, then Paul stood in the midst of them and said, “Men, you should have listened to me, and not have sailed from Crete and incurred this disaster and loss. 22 And now I urge you to take heart, for there will be no loss of life among you, but only of the ship. 23 For there stood by me this night an angel of the God to whom I belong and whom I serve, 24 saying, ‘Do not be afraid, Paul; you must be brought before Caesar; and indeed God has granted you all those who sail with you.’ 25 Therefore take heart, men, for I believe God that it will be just as it was told me.
Paul had warned the sailors not to sail but they ignored his advice, now when all seemed lost they turned to Paul, and Paul must have sensed this because he had fasted already and was praying.
“Take heart” the storm will pass and there will be sunsets once again, and beautiful nature to look at. But we must make sure we are ready by taking heart and praying whilst we have the time.
Dear Lord, thank you for the lessons of today and allow me to go forward tomorrow and do you proud.
Amen
365 Exhortations 