He rules the wind, and the waves, and my current circumstances

Acts 27:23

Last night an angel of the God whose I am and whom I serve stood beside me and said, “Do not be afraid, Paul.  You must stand trial before Caesar; and God has graciously given you the lives of all who sail with you.” NIV

This is one of the stories in the life of Paul that I don’t remember reading or studying previously.  At this point, Paul is on a boat with a bunch of sailors and a centurion, and they get caught in a massive storm that goes on for days … a couple of weeks, actually.

The sailors are so worried that they stop eating, and everyone is fearing for their lives.

It strikes me that this storm, which torments Paul’s boat, is a good metaphor for any long trial.  As difficult circumstances persist day after day, with no hope of resolution and no light at the end of the tunnel, it is easy to become discouraged — if you’re living a life of fear.

But Paul isn’t bound by fear.  He is living a life of love, and through it he keeps everything in perspective.  The phrase “God whose I am and whom I serve,” sums it up perfectly.

I belong to God.  I serve God.  He rules the wind, and the waves, and my current circumstances — good or bad.

That’s what I’ll think about today.