Caleb Walker

     In Acts 27 Paul is being transported by the Roman centurion Julius to Rome to plead his case before Caesar in the hope that he would be able to share the gospel with Caesar. Paul warned them that if they pressed on in their journey and failed to wait until spring, it would put them into a dangerous position since storms were common that time of year. While on their journey a “northeaster” storm came up that sent the entire crew and all who were aboard the ship into a panic. All were in a panic except for Paul. In fact, not only was Paul calm, but Paul was encouraging them, reminding them to eat, taking care of them, and reassuring them that God would see them all safely through the storm if no one abandoned ship.

     Paul brought calm into the chaos. What enabled Paul to be so calm during such chaos? Was it his internal fortitude? Was it Paul’s leadership training and ability? Was it the principles Paul learned from some silly, vaporous, Joel-Olsteen-type of self-help guru philosophy? Or was it something infinitely more real and substantive rooted in the sovereign faithfulness of his God? What do we do when in the path of obedience, you are experiencing anything but what folks would call “your best life now?”

     What do we do when we’re smack-dab in the middle of chaotic suffering? Paul reminded them of the promises of God. Paul relayed the message of protection from the angel. Paul cared for the practical needs of all aboard. Paul fed them a meal. Paul blessed and encouraged them. Paul solidified his soul in his God and served the people in front of him.

     When we’re in a chaotic situation (the phone is ringing off the hook, the babies are crying, the pot on the stove boils over, the client pulls out of the contract, the well pump goes out, the interest rates won’t go down, the expenses are on the rise, the church member you’re burdened for gets a bad diagnosis, the lost person doesn’t give their life to Christ, the to do list just grows larger and larger, your feelings stressed and overwhelmed, the work supervisor isn’t supervising) what is our natural reaction? Panic.

     Panic would be a natural reaction apart from a loving, sovereign, faithful, all-knowing, all-good, kind, merciful God. Don’t let the chaos distract you [dis-attract] you from His character. Like Paul, God’s child can rest in Him and trust in Him and lean on Him and point others to Him. Like Paul, with God’s help, we can experience His calm and bring His presence into the chaos around us. This world is broken by sin and chaos comes along with that. Praise God that even though His creation has departed into this chaotic brokenness away from God’s design, that through repentance and believing in Jesus for salvation through His Son’s death, burial, and resurrection we can have a new life, and run into the chaos to reach others for Him. They can be brought back into God’s good design.

How to Pray:

• Help me to trust in Your character in this chaos.
• Help me to not be overwhelmed by the chaos.
• Help me to rehearse Your characteristics, Your attributes that are greater than my emotions.
• I acknowledge that You are working the circumstances out for my good when I love You as Your adopted child.