“But the commanding officer wanted to spare Paul, so he didn’t let them carry out their plan. Then he ordered all who could swim to jump overboard first and make for land.”
Acts 27:43 (NLT)
The ship carrying Paul was breaking apart, and fear had crept in again. The soldiers planned to kill the prisoners so none could escape. The prisoners could see the shore, yet it appeared they would die. But Julius, the commander, wanted to spare Paul’s life, so he stopped them. Julius ordered everyone who could swim to jump overboard and make for land. What God had said would happen happened: everyone got to shore safely.
Without Paul there, without someone who spoke to God, all the prisoners would have died. But because Paul was present, everyone got to shore safely. That’s significant. When Saul became Paul, he became a follower of the Way and a leader in the Way. He spent his life preaching the good news and helping people find eternal life. Through Paul’s obedience, people headed toward destruction had an opportunity to reach heaven instead.
I think this is pretty similar to us. There are people in our workplace, community, family, or school who need Jesus and the eternal life He offers. We may be the only believer in the room. If we choose not to be like Paul, if we do not speak up for the good news, live as a witness of Jesus Christ, and share His love with the people God has placed around us, we may miss an opportunity for someone to reach the shore of Heaven safely.
What if we appear like everybody else? What if we blend in and act like all the other prisoners of this world? There could be tough consequences for us and others. Today, I pray that we would stand out, speak up, and look, talk, and act like Jesus in every circumstance and opportunity God gives us. Pray for the lost around you. They need you to show what God has done through your life so they can reach the shore of Heaven too.