SHIPWRECKED – NEWSPAPER ARTICLE FOR 8/5/20
Hurricane season has arrived for another year in America, threatening lives and properties. In 1715, a hurricane struck the east coast of Florida, sinking ten Spanish treasure ships carrying tons of gold and silver coins, and killing 1,000 people. About 80% of the treasure was recovered within a few months, but the rest was not recovered for another 250 years.
“Words from Above” in the Bible tell us about a shipwreck involving a passenger named the apostle Paul. Actually, Paul had warned the captain of the ship that the Lord had revealed to him that there would be problems on the journey. Passengers escaped to an island named Melita, inhabited by people considered to be barbarians. Fortunately, the people there showed the passengers great kindness, kindling a fire to help them dry out from the cold and rain.
Paul helped to gather wood for the fire, and as he laid the wood on the fire, a poisonous snake came out of the fire and bit him. The islanders at first thought he must have been a murderer, and this was his punishment. But when Paul shook the snake off his hand, and felt no harm, the islanders changed their mind and thought instead he was a god.
The chief islander, whose name was Publius, provided lodging for Paul and others for the next three days. On the third day, Publius’ father came down with a fever and blood infection, prompting Paul to pray for him and lay his hands on him for healing. The father was healed, and then many others came to Paul for healing and were also healed. When the passengers from the shipwreck finally left three moths later, the islanders provided what the shipwrecked passengers needed for their journey. So, God took a very unfortunate event, and turned it into an opportunity for Paul to demonstrate God’s healing power. and quite possibly an opportunity to also share the gospel message.
Today, many people are victims of a “spiritual shipwreck” because they have chosen to follow their own ways rather than the ways of the Lord. Despite the many warnings from followers of God, people fail to listen to the warnings and end up in difficult and unpleasant circumstances. God often uses these circumstances to get the attention of people, and God also sends people into their lives to help them through their circumstances. As faithful believers reach out to these people, and become available to share with them the message of the gospel, a new hope arises for them and they can be delivered from their spiritual shipwreck. If you are one of them, you too can be delivered from spiritual shipwreck.
Larry R. Steffee is pastor of the Center Hill Brethren In Christ Church on Miller Road in Smithville. Everyone is welcome to attend. For informa-tion, you may email lrsteffeetn@yahoo.com.
