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When you think of shipwrecks what emotions does it bring up for you?
One of the most spine chilling sounds I have ever heard was the ‘Mayday Call’ from the Winston Churchill Yacht in the 1998 Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race. Was any going to be saved? What must be going through the sailors minds, knowing they had to make that ‘Mayday Call’
What about the final scene in the 2000 movie ‘Perfect Storm’. It may have been based on the true story of the ‘Andrea Gail’ from Massachusetts, but as there were no survivors, the artistic licence to depict the storm was horrific irrespective to how accurate it actually was. I certainly wouldn’t have wanted to be on any maritime vessel in those conditions.
Probably the best known maritime disaster in history would be the sinking of the unsinkable ‘RMS Titanic’ off the coast of Newfoundland in April 1912.
There are many countless occurrences of shipwrecks throughout the worlds oceans. The vast coast line of Australia, areas of which are known as the ‘Shipwreck Coast’ is littered with wrecks.
Now let me be clear, this is not another blog about how to survive this Pandemic season, there is more than enough of those around. This blog was inspired by a story about a storm which resulted in a shipwreck, as found in chapter 27 of the Book of ACTS in the Bible. In this story, a large ship carrying at least 269 crew, prisoners and passengers got caught in a storm. This was pounding them so violently, and relentlessly for days that they did not always see daylight or stars by night. Scarcely able to keep their ship under control they resorted to throwing cargo overboard. Throughout the story, we read how one man saw an Angel of the LORD God whom he worshipped. He also remembered that as a disciple of Jesus Christ, he had learnt of the importance of fellowship, of taking bread and giving thanks to God before sharing the food with those on board. After the storm had finally subsided, they found themselves hanging onto the ship in an unfamiliar place.
This story contains principles that you can do to weather changes in life that impact on your time and priorities. Life happens along the journey to your destination. When a season ends, your outlook may not be what you expected or planned for.
Life changes may be positive, such as finding that special someone, a new baby in the family, completing studies, a job promotion or relocation. Maybe for you its a new car, buying your first home or paying off your mortgage.
Some challenging changes could be physical or mental health related. They may be financial or employment related. Your car or home might be about to be repossessed or maybe you’re couch surfing.
Whatever your season, a storm or major change, your life as you knew it might be significantly impacted, there is always something to hang onto.
You may not be in a storm but things are changing in your life and you are need to reassess your priorities.
These four principles commonly associated with Christianity, or the Bible include Discipleship, Fellowship, Stewardship and Worship.
Discipleship
To be a disciple is to follow the teachings of a person or school of thought. Discipleship is to be actively engaging with the teaching of whom you are following. During times in our lives where great demand is placed on us, we can tend to ‘be too busy’ or ‘too tired’ to maintain our routines, or disciplines.
Jesus primary thought on the concept of discipleship can be found in this statement. “If any of you wants to be my disciple/follower, you must give up your own way, take up your cross, and follow me.” (Matthew 16:24)
How busy are you really?
- Noah was a busy man at times, having just finished building the ark, the flood came over all the earth. As the waters subsided and land was visible again, Noah heard from the LORD and built an altar to the LORD at that new place (Genesis 8).
- Abraham (then known as Abram) moved his family from one place to another. The first thing that he did in Shechem, Canaan was to build an altar, for the LORD had spoken to him in that place. (Genesis 12).
- Isaac moved his family to Beer-Sheba where the LORD appeared to him also. It was in that place where he built an altar to the LORD (Genesis 26).
Travel in the days or Noah, Abraham and Issac were significantly harsher and more time consuming than for most in the world these days. As these three examples show, they were followers of the LORD. They were His Disciples. These stories are examples of when they had significant changes in their lives, they held on to discipleship as demonstrated through them building an altar to the LORD – as a priority. They knew that the LORD was with them everywhere they went. These stories emphasise the encounters they had in hearing from God, and their subsequent actions.
Don’t overload your schedule, become too busy, or too tired that the noise of the world muffles or shuts out the voice of the LORD in your life. If you have a newborn or new job to adjust to, don’t forget to keep God in the picture. All life is from Him and the favour demonstrated in the change of employment is from God too.
Fellowship
Fellowship is about relationships, having an interest in another person or people group. In my Australian culture, often fellowship would typically take place around the BBQ. A meal usually consisting of lots of meat and not limited to the warmer months, but an opportunity nonetheless to hang out with friends and have a meal together. Other cultures may share a large extravagant meal around the table with multiple courses of foods passed down the generations dependant on the time of year. Fellowship including food can be as simple as a picnic in the park, marshmallows over the open fire, or as complicated as your culture encourages.
In the Bible there are several examples of fellowship meals where relationships are built. One of the first is recorded in Genesis 18. This is an account of Abraham seeing three men (of whom it includes the LORD) who were afforded some cultural traditions and rituals from Abraham. After washing their feet and providing some water for them, a banquet was prepared to share with them. All this occurred not in a palace but under the shade of a tree at a place called Mamre.
Many years later when Jesus was walking the earth as a man, the first recorded miracle occurred at a wedding banquet in Cana of Galilee. The hosts had run out of wine before the party had finished, and Jesus was asked to fix the problem. Jesus’ response – taking the ordinary and turning it into something extraordinary – turning water into wine, the host exclaimed how usually the best one is served first and the cheap wine after many had become intoxicated. However, this wine served last, which was the water that Jesus miraculously turned into wine was considered the best. The response from the host demonstrated that Jesus miracle wasn’t just ordinary or cheap, but extravagant and first class.
Another noted occasion occurred where there was a clash of providing for and enjoying fellowship. At the home of Jesus’ friends in Bethany, Martha was busily preparing the food for service whilst Mary was seated at Jesus feet enjoying his company. They were engaging in fellowship. The guests at the house were developing their relationship with one another through fellowship, even before the food was served.
This last example speaks to many of life’s issues. Here though, the need for developing our relationships with others is important. Mary was having fellowship with Jesus, whilst Martha was having a meltdown in the kitchen, the business of the situation had gotten the better of her. Other things can wait but the time spent with one another in fellowship with or without food cannot always be measured. The host of a party is a noted absence when their time management keeps them in the kitchen and not mingling with guests.
We are reminded of the importance of fellowship in Hebrews 10. It tells us to provoke one another to love and to not neglect meeting together, encouraging one another. Spending time in fellowship with friends and families is how relationships are nurtured.
Stewardship
Stewardship is often only linked to bringing the tithe or giving an offering. These are a component of stewardship. However, it is much greater than just these two areas. We all have gifts and talents in our lives. Different levels of knowledge and talent provide different financial and other resources to support our lifestyle.
With this broader understanding you may be prompted to review what you do with your time, talents, skills and giftings. Throughout the Bible there are instructions on how we should approach and utilise these. The Gospels include stories of how the challenges of riches can be a stumbling block to Salvation. For example, a man referred to as a ‘rich young ruler’ approached Jesus. The ensuing discussion revolved around the use of his vast resources as entry into heaven. He was so focussed by his riches that He failed to see that the key to heaven was standing right before him, wanting to reach out and welcome him into his heavenly family.
There are also stories of how prioritising money can impact on your relationships with others.
Another brief story is one of a poor widow who gave all that she had in the offering box at the Temple. She was mocked by the ‘religious people’ as the monetary value of her offering was vastly insignificant compared to their offering. Jesus explained the significance of her posture to the ‘religious people.’ The woman’s heart was in the right place, she was grateful for what she had and was giving thanks to God. As such her offering was significantly larger than theirs relative to the resources and condition of the heart of both parties.
In Colossians 3, we are instructed to “Work willingly at whatever you do, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people.”
You may not like your job, boss or colleagues. However, if your world view includes this principle of doing everything as if you were doing it directly for God, your perspective and attitudes change.
The challenge this season has presented to many people is that areas where they volunteer or serve others have been restricted. People who set up and pack down at their local church, people who volunteer at thrift type shops or animal rescue centres have not been able to use these gifts and talents as they would normally.
Worship
Webster’s dictionary defines worship as ‘reverent honour and homage paid to God or a sacred personage, or to any object regarded as sacred.’
I lived in Melbourne, Australia for many years – home of the Australian Football League (AFL). For many people the AFL was and still is considered a religion, something that is worshipped. These days I live on the otherside of Australia, in Perth. AFL is still worshipped, but you’d think sometimes that there was only two teams in the competition, not eighteen. Depending on the city you live in, the sport worshipped might be Rugby League, Rugby Union, Soccer, Basketball or even Cricket. Maybe you despise the edification of sports altogether.
To be reverent towards someone or something is a demonstration of feeling or emotion showing deep respect. That in itself I believe limits reverence to an act of respect to something or someone, which is vastly different to being obsessive or addicted to someone or something.
If something is considered to be sacred, ‘reverently dedicated to some person, purpose, or object’ then it could be said that sport is sacred to some. While to others having a consistent time of day to study, or having a coffee every morning is considered sacred, but doesn’t mean that study or coffee is worshipped with reverence.
Jesus was a man who wasn’t backwards in coming forwards when challenging cultural expectations and traditions. Jesus did not limit his mission to show people how to have a restored relationship with God to one people group. This is demonstrated in John chapter 4. Jesus interaction with a woman from Samaria was counter-cultural, because as a Jewish man, Jesus shouldn’t be talking to a woman who wasn’t Jewish. He spoke to her of the LORD God Almighty and that she can have a relationship with Him regardless of her cultural background.
He knew of her lifestyle and relationships choices. Challenging her understanding that worship could only occur in Jerusalem, he enlightened her with understanding that God’s desire is for all people to worship Him. Limiting God to only one cultural group would be akin to saying that only people who live in Australia are permitted to engage in any appreciation or participation in AFL.
In short, Jesus told this woman that the time was coming when all people would come to the realisation that He was the promised Messiah, and that God was Spirit, who was to be worshiped in Spirit and in Truth. In Spirit means not a physical being limited to one geographical location for God is Omnipotent (all powerful), Omniscient (all knowing) and Omnipresent (always everywhere). God is not limited to some tangible stature or monument. Truth here emphasised the need for acceptance of what Jesus was teaching was for all people of the earth, the Salvation was from the Jewish people unto all nations of the world.
Have you reached your destination?
Picking up on the story from Acts chapter 27, when the storm had finally subsided and the crew and passengers made it safely to land, they weren’t where they were meant to be. Their original destination was Italy but the ended up wrecked on the island of Malta. Sometimes life’s journey is buffeted by all manner of situations that throw you off course. How and where your journey ends is significantly impacted by how you manage the process. It will also impact on your perspective of the situation you have found yourself in.
Earlier on in Act, chapter 2 verse 42, we read how all the believers regularly gathered together for discipleship, fellowship, stewardship and importantly worship. What ever your current circumstances, take the time to check your priorities and see how well you are applying these four principles.
