We celebrated our New Year with plenty of music, thoughtful messages and hand-pumping fellowship. The four hours flew by, who's counting when joy is present? The main thought of the night was the story of the Apostle Paul's shipwreck.
The Scriptures say, "When they had taken up the anchors, they committed themselves unto the sea...and falling in the place where two seas met, they ran the ship aground..." (Acts 27:40, 41)
We can imagine a strong ocean current going one way and another current going contrary to it. It was here where Paul's ship moved toward land, got stuck, was battered and destroyed; though all 276 passengers survived, as was promised by God.
Many times the believer will find himself in a place "where two seas meet." Adam and Eve in the Garden, Abraham leaving home, Noah building the ark and preaching, David standing against Goliath, Paul ministering, and Jesus' trial before Pilate - these were all places of contest.
This year will not, and should not, reflect anything else but being in a contest. The ship being destroyed represents the loss of something not essentially important. Being washed up on shore and all accounted for speaks of the gain of something irreplaceable. We gain character. We gain faith, love, and hope. We gain experience. Covered with wet beach sand we roll over and say, "Wow! - that was a ride!"
What does this year have for us? A Happy New Year rings hollow when we see what life is essentially about. Let us follow Jesus Christ this year and find ourselves trusting Him in the place where two seas meet. We will go for a ride when we stand on what He has said. We will come forth as pure as gold (Job 23:12).
Pastor Schaller
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