Acts 27:1-26

 Acts 27:1-26

Much of the life of a disciple is living life without the spectacular moments. In this passage we see no great sermons, we see no great dramatic conversions, we see no powerful miracles. Other than an angelic vision in verse 23 there is nothing out of what we might call the ordinary. The story of a ship caught in a storm could have and was repeated many times all over the Mediterranean. But the absence of the dramatic doesn’t mean the absence of God. Miracles are where God supersedes the laws of nature He created, in order to accomplish His purposes.  Providence is where God works within those same laws of nature to accomplish His purposes. Providence is no less wonderful than miracles, but it may seem less dramatic to us. In the mythology of pagan religions we might expect to see the ship in the storm picked up by Poseidon and flown through the air to its destination. For pagans the gods only worked in the dramatic, strange and supernatural ways. But we see God at work in the extremely ordinary events of a cargo ship at sea in a storm.

Most of our lives are not made up of the spectacular experiences that are most measurable. Most of our lives are made up of the exceedingly ordinary work orders and service calls, washing dishes and eating meals, traffic congestion and running errands. But because those moments are not supernatural dramatic moments doesn’t mean they are not filled with the grace and the supervision of God. God is working out “all things for the good of those who love Him and are called according to His purpose”. Not all things are good some are bad not all things are dramatic some are ordinary but they are all under His control.

The challenge of discipleship is not found as often in the spectacular moment, event or miracle but rather in faithfully living out the challenge of “How do I honor, love, and serve God in this very ordinary moment?” In all likelihood I will not stand before the governor today, speak to a large crowd, or call fire down from heaven. But I will make phone calls, send text, talk to people and offer prayers to heaven and that is a moment to be a disciple.

“Lord, help  me be faithful in the ordinary moments of today. AMEN”