February 11, 2009
Shipwrecked
Paul was sailing to Italy when he stepped forward to give the crew a warning about the dangers of the voyage. “But the centurion, instead of listening to what Paul said, followed the advice of the pilot and of the owner of the ship.” (Acts 27:11) I probably would have come to the same conclusion because reason tells me that the pilot and owner of the ship had more sailing expertise than Paul…the resident prisoner, tentmaker and a Pharisee turned disciple. I think we sometimes make the same mistake in the church. If we look only to those in leadership, then we’re overlooking the spiritual insights and wisdom of those in the pew. There are more than a few people sitting in our pews who, after throwing the cargo overboard, are entitled to echo Paul’s words, “Men, you should have taken my advice…”
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Gail;
-----The uncertainties of getting through tough situations demand experience. It doesn’t just seem that way, it is that way. Life is really big, and it can throw more situations at us than any one person can possibly have the experience to handle. That is why the Holy Spirit spreads out His gifts amongst the people and makes every member equally important to the body. It is why we are to look not only to our own interests, but also to the interests of others, why we are to respect one another and count others as more important than ourselves. Everyone together has more experience than a few leaders. And only humility can tap that experience.
-----When people stop considering God as part of our perceivable environment they are in real trouble. The ship Paul was aboard was in a situation that did not lend anyone the information for making a correct decision. So, it appeared that experience could not be a factor in their survival. But God knew every detail about the situation, and He knew how the ship could be saved. And Paul had experience with God, since God was part of his perceivable environment. Therefore, even in this seemingly blind situation, there was the right experience available for the right decision.
-----We should allow this story to be one of our experiences. In it is a very important detail. God does not regard man‘s positions. David was the puny one of his brothers. Joseph was the despised little brother sold into slavery and run through prison. All of the twelve apostles were just common folk, and Jesus was just a carpenter. Nor does God look past a man because he has position. Job was a wealthy man, Luke was a doctor, Paul was a Pharisee of Pharisees, and Moses was both a prince and a nomadic shepherd. What they all had was the right stuff for experiencing God, sensitive eyes and sensitive ears.
-----As you correctly observed, church leaders are notorious for ignoring “pew sitters”. That is why I despise the term “pew potato” so much. Every one of those potatoes has multiple eyes capable and ready to sprout more life. All they need is connection with the right soil in the right conditions and you will get potato plant everywhere. Experiencing God does not always mean being observably active in the church. It means being spiritually active in God, responsive to the truth, and engaged in the life God is putting you through with the faith He has measured to you. That makes more eyes on the potato than does flipping burgers for a youth program.
-----It is wise for us to all to start growing eyes. I have contemplated the message of Revelation for decades; it will be an extraordinarily difficult time. Whether or not we are fortunate enough to be raptured away before it begins, the times leading to it will be burdened with situations similar to that of Paul‘s ship. Most of us can see the “majestic wonders” our fellow Americans have sent to Washington and the moronic idiocy they are leading us into. The political and financial damage may be irreparable, the tyranny to follow may be planned. This storm lends no information for correct decisions. But, if even the value of gold is to fail, when mankind is stripped of everything it relies upon, the ones who will navigate through the difficulties will be the ones having real experience with God. Only the sensitive and humble ears will hear. Only the living eyes will see. We would all be wise to give the Word its proper respect, attention, and obedience so our eyes and ears can adjust to God as being part of our perceivable environment.
Love you all,
Steve Corey
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