Facing Danger with Peace

Christian Commitment
in Today's World
 
Acts 27:33-44 (The Message)
 ^33-34With dawn about to break, Paul called everyone together and proposed breakfast: "This is the fourteenth day we've gone without food. None of us has felt like eating! But I urge you to eat something now. You'll need strength for the rescue ahead. You're going to come out of this without even a scratch!"
 ^35-38He broke the bread, gave thanks to God, passed it around, and they all ate heartily—276 of us, all told! With the meal finished and everyone full, the ship was further lightened by dumping the grain overboard.
 ^39-41At daybreak, no one recognized the land—but then they did notice a bay with a nice beach. They decided to try to run the ship up on the beach. They cut the anchors, loosed the tiller, raised the sail, and ran before the wind toward the beach. But we didn't make it. Still far from shore, we hit a reef and the ship began to break up.
 ^42-44The soldiers decided to kill the prisoners so none could escape by swimming, but the centurion, determined to save Paul, stopped them. He gave orders for anyone who could swim to dive in and go for it, and for the rest to grab a plank. Everyone made it to shore safely.

For Reflection
Paul requested an audience with Caesar.  Even though the courts would have freed him, his request caused him to remain a prisoner and to sail to Rome.  His imprisonment might have been considered minimum security.  He was even permitted to leave the ship in various ports of call.  Paul enters these trying times at peace -- a contagious peace.   To what extent are you known for your contagious peace?

Pray to know the peace that comes with a deep belief and hope in God.  Pray that your peace will become a beacon of hope.  Pray for contagious peace.