The Shipwreck Is Coming

No one had eaten for a long time. Finally, Paul called the crew together and said, “Men, you should have listened to me in the first place and not left Crete. You would have avoided all this damage and loss. But take courage! None of you will lose your lives, even though the ship will go down. For last night an angel of the God to whom I belong and whom I serve stood beside me, and he said, ‘Don’t be afraid, Paul, for you will surely stand trial before Caesar! What’s more, God in his goodness has granted safety to everyone sailing with you.’ So take courage! For I believe God. It will be just as he said. But we will be shipwrecked on an island.” [Acts 27.21-26]

This passage from Acts has application to many areas of our lives. Back in 2017, I wrote an article that I believe provides valid insight into this passage even today (Hear God. Hang On. Believe. Look Ahead.). However, as time has progressed (and here it is 2024), there is even more depth to this story that might be gleaned.

As world events go, the United States just recently traversed a monumentally divisive but key presidential election. Just like those in charge of Paul's ship thought a period of "fair winds" meant all was good and they could proceed as planned with their enterprise, there are those today who think all is well just because an election went their way. Nothing could be further from the truth.

The Bible clearly defines the last days of earth. It is not pretty. We have God's Word on this matter just like Paul had God's Word that the ship would be lost. However, we also have God's Word that we remain "on mission" regardless of the dire circumstances in which we find ourselves. Just like Paul was commissioned to go to Rome, God has places for us to go and things for us to do even though all hope seems lost based on deteriorating circumstances all around us.

What I am saying here is this: God's Word remains true. Just because some think all is well because of an election, does not change what God said is coming - and it's a shipwreck of epic proportion! If we genuinely believe we are "on mission," then we better be speaking our confidence that, regardless of the circumstances, we will prevail with the Good News of Jesus Christ, and that, those who choose to go with us will be saved as well. But the shipwreck is still coming!

In the situation described in Acts 27.21-26, two hundred seventy-five humans were saved along with him because Paul refused to look at the circumstances, refused to fear, refused to remain silent, and simply refused to die because he was convinced he was going to Rome because God told him so.

The question then that looms for myself and anyone who reads this is, "Has God commissioned me to a specific task that will require that I refuse to look at the circumstances, refuse to fear, refuse to remain silent, and simply refuse to die, preserving those around me as I go?" The answer is, "Yes!"

Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” [Matthew 28.19-20]

And then he told them, “Go into all the world and preach the Good News to everyone. Anyone who believes and is baptized will be saved. But anyone who refuses to believe will be condemned. These miraculous signs will accompany those who believe: They will cast out demons in my name, and they will speak in new languages. They will be able to handle snakes with safety, and if they drink anything poisonous, it won’t hurt them. They will be able to place their hands on the sick, and they will be healed.” [Mark 16.15-18]

It was also written that this message would be proclaimed in the authority of his name to all the nations, beginning in Jerusalem: ‘There is forgiveness of sins for all who repent.’ [Luke 24.47]

Again he said, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I am sending you.” Then he breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive anyone’s sins, they are forgiven. If you do not forgive them, they are not forgiven.” [John 20.21-23]

As conditions worsen around us, the shipwreck is indeed coming. It is not wrong for us to be prepared to tell people they should have listened to God. However, like Paul, we need to be prepared with a solution, and not just point out the problem! The solution is faith in Jesus Christ! Yes, we've sailed right into a colossal storm and most or all of our enterprise will be lost, but souls will be saved if we declare the truth and invite others to join us in our faith.

Whether you are "on mission" or just on the boat, the shipwreck is coming. Being "saved" is the simple matter of faith in Jesus Christ and doing what He said to do. Do not fear! Repent! Believe! Be on mission!

Father, may we all see that we are on the ship of life and it is headed straight for annihilation. The storm is raging and the waters are becoming increasingly more shallow... Shipwreck is imminent. May we all understand our mission and have full confidence that, in the tragedy of shipwreck, not all is lost because our lives are hid with Christ in God! May we stay "on mission!"