Cutting Our Lifeboat Loose To Trust in God (Fri. June 20)

The word for today is "skiff." Today, in our reading of  Acts 27:1044, we The Word of the Day is "skiff."  Today, in our reading of Acts 27:1-44,  we hear Luke's exciting account of the shipwreck that St. Paul endured on his way to Rome. Against the wisdom of the mariners and St. Paul's warning, the captain set out to sea in the dangerous winter season. Soon, they were caught in a violent winter story. They did everything to save themselves: strengthening the ship with cables, throwing the ship's tackle overboard, taking down the sails, and letting the wind and waves drive the boat. Nothing worked. But they had one means of safety in reserve, a skiff they had towed behind the ship. When they were close to shore and in danger of shipwreck, some sailors let down the small boat in a desperate in an attempt to abandon the ship and leave the passengers to their fate. But St. Paul told the Centurion in charge of St. Paul and the other prisoners, "Unless these men stay in the ship, you cannot be saved" (Acts 27:31). So the soldiers cut the ropes of the skiff and let it drift away. Now, their last means of salvation was gone. They had to trust in the promise of God that St. Paul had spoken to them.

Just like St. Paul,  we too often find ourselves in the midst of life's storms and uncertainties. We exhaust all our efforts to save ourselves, only to realize that our human strength is not enough. Yet, instead of turning to God and placing our complete trust in Him, we hang onto something we believe will rescue us. It could be our wealth, our knowledge, our skills, our relationships, our status, or our wit. But unless we release this fragile lifeboat, we cannot fully embrace the grace of God. We must learn to rely on His promise, for that is where we will find our true deliverance.

For Reflection: 

The Psalmist's words, "God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble" (Psalm 46:1), resonate deeply with the story of St. Paul's shipwreck. In the face of imminent danger and uncertainty, it was God's promise that provided the ultimate refuge and strength for St. Paul and his fellow passengers.  

How can we hold on to God's promise in times of distress? What actions of faith can we take to release our worldly 'lifeboats' in complete reliance on Him? Let us ponder these questions and contemplate how you can incorporate the teachings from St. Paul's story into your own life. Let us always remember that it is in trusting in God's promise that we find our true and only salvation.