Overview

Go to Front Page

By Pastor Bukky (cover image by Jeremiah E).

Have you ever wondered why an entire chapter of the Bible is devoted to a shipwreck?^[1]Acts Chapter 27 While it is history, it is much more. I believe the Holy Spirit through Luke is using this storm as an illustration of how we can weather the storms of life.

You see, life is like a voyage, and the circumstances of life are like the weather. Sometimes there is smooth sailing. But at other times we will encounter storms because we are sailing on the sea of time between two eternities.

We can all relate to the fact that the last two years has taken the world by a storm called COVID 19. This is a storm that in so many ways has had a rippling effect on the lives of many around us and many of us believers have not been spared the effects.

Acts 27:9-11″Now when much time was spent, and when sailing was now dangerous, because the fast was now already past, Paul admonished them, and said unto them, ‘Sirs, I perceive that this voyage will be with hurt and much damage, not only of the lading and ship, but also of our lives.’ Nevertheless [a very important word!] the centurion believed the master and the owner of the ship more than those things which were spoken by Paul.”

So, they set sail, and verses 12-14 describe a howling hurricane that suddenly began to pound the sea with its fist and swept that little boat to disaster. No wonder Paul did not want to set sail!

During your lifetime, you will find yourself in all kinds of storms. Sometimes it will be because you’re sailing contrary to God’s will, as these mariners were. But other times, like Paul, you will be caught up in circumstances beyond your control.

No one is immune to storms. We can experience difficult moments in different stages of our lives – as a child, youth, while studying, in our marriages, business or career or with our health.

Are you going through a difficult time at the moment? Does it all feel so overwhelming with nowhere or no one to turn to? Do you have a loved one, friend colleague or neighbours going through a rough patch at the moment? Then read through this inspired edition of the Grace & Truth magazine to gain some ideas of how to find peace in the storm and come out stronger than you could ever imagine.