Surviving a shipwreck

According to a little research I’ve been doing there are 100,000 shipwrecks on the official list and another 80,000 to 110,000 being checked for duplication before being added.
The problem when we face personal shipwreck is that we can very quickly turn into a statistic. Shipwrecked marriages become divorce statistics. Shipwrecked businesses become bankruptcy and unemployment statistics, Shipwrecked dreams become lost hopes. And so on.

When Paul wrote to Timothy he told him:

Timothy, my son, I give you this instruction in keeping with the prophecies once made about you, so that by following them you may fight the good fight, holding on to faith and a good conscience. Some have rejected these and so have shipwrecked their faith.
1Tim.1:18-19

The Bible offers an alternative to shipwreck, it offers the chance to hold on to God, a chance to survive the shipwreck.

How to survive a shipwreck (Acts 27:27ff)

#1 Don’t go where it’s dangerous to go

The first lesson in surviving a shipwreck is to not get shipwrecked in the first place! It had already been a struggle to get to “Fair Havens” but something drew the ship’s pilot and owner on. Paul warns them of the possible consequences but another voice is stronger. The simple truth is that this shipwreck could have been and should have been avoided.

The simple lesson is don’t go looking for trouble you don’t need. You can’t avoid temptation, but you don’t have to give in to it. You can avoid the devil, but you don’t have to submit to him.

Prv. 19:3 A man’s own folly ruins his life

#2 Beware the calm before the storm

They say it’s very still and calm at the centre of a hurricane. I don’t know, it’s not been part of my experience.

On the other hand I have seen storms coming. I’ve stood overlooking a valley a watched a storm make it’s way up the tree line, I’ve watched the distant lightning and listened to the thunder. I have to say I actually love a good storm, from behind the windows. I’ve also stood and felt the wind drop and then run as the rain has started to pour down.

Sometimes there can be a period of calm before the real storm hits. If you get lulled into thinking everything will be okay you are certain to get caught out by the storm that’s around the corner.

#3 Stay with the ship

Seeing the rocks approach might make you think of jumping overboard. In this instance it was the wrong thing to do. Maybe it isn’t the rule every time, but staying with ship means seeing the shipwreck through rather than taking a chance and jumping off before you hit the rocks.
I guess there are times when we see the shipwreck in our lives coming, and we’re tempted to jump overboard and take our chances in the surf, but there may be a better outcome of we stay with the ship and see the shipwreck through.

#4 Prepare for survival

They did a number of things to prepare for survival. They got rid of all the excess baggage, all the cargo they were carrying. They ditched the lifeboats, they ate, and Paul at least prayed.
Preparing for survival is better than preparing to drown.

#5 Know the basis for our hope

When you face shipwreck, don’t face it not knowing the source of hope, the basis for hope. With God all things are possible. Remember the list of shipwrecks—relationships, jobs, futures. God offers us hope, not only to survive the shipwreck to go on surviving and face the future with hope and faith.

#6 Trust in the grace of God

They all made it safely to the shore. By the grace of God there is always hope for the future. The shipwreck is going to happen, but all need not be lost

#7 Look for a soft landing

You might look, but you may not find it. Aim for the sand bank, do all you can to avoid the rocks, you never know you might just make it, if you’re honest about the situation. If you ignore it then the rocks are all you have to look forward to, and it may be where you end up anyway.

#8 The shipwreck isn’t the end of the story

When they all made it to the shore they built a fire and what happens to Paul? He gets bitten by a snake.

The good news is that it’s possible to survive a shipwreck. The bad news is you’ve got shipwrecked in the first place.

Acknowledging the mistakes, accepting the consequences is all part of the process, but it’s the grace of God alone that can bring you safely to shore.

It’s the ultimate second chance, but it’s your choice.