To Whom do you Belong?

We studied Acts Chapter 27 in church recently and learned many things from the text. One of the greatest lessons of the text is an affirmation of the sovereignly of God over all things. God is in control and to Him all things belong. If you don't recall the story, Paul is aboard a ship as a prisoner and is being taken to Rome for trial before Ceaser. Paul counsels against the voyage for loss of life and property, but the Centurion disregards the words of his prisoner. Providentially and just as God planned it, a massive storm develops sending the ship out of control and off course. There is a total loss of hope among the crew. The payload is jettisoned and all attempts are made to save the ship. You can just imagine the fear and the chaos that must have engulfed every occupant of the ship. Except for Paul. He somewhat sarcastically and in an 'I told you so' fashion reminds the Centurion, the Pilot and the Captain that he had in fact warned them.

When they had gone a long time without food, then Paul stood up in their midst and said, "Men, you ought to have followed my advice and not to have set sail from Crete and incurred this damage and loss. Acts 27:21

Then he drops the bomb that shatters the earthly authority of his captors.....

"Yet now I urge you to keep up your courage, for there will be no loss of life among you, but only of the ship. "For this very night an angel of the God to whom I belong and whom I serve stood before me, saying, 'Do not be afraid, Paul; you must stand before Caesar; and behold, God has granted you all those who are sailing with you.'
"Therefore, keep up your courage, men, for I believe God that it will turn out exactly as I have been told. Acts 27:22-25

A couple of observations about Paul's proclamation....

First, can you imagine the frustration at this point felt by the Centurion? Here is Paul, a prisoner and then this Centurion in a position of great authority and trusted with the welfare of other men....and then Paul proudly and quite calmly announces that he belongs to another and not to his captors. To give credence to his claims he announces the solution to the current problem. What a mighty work must have been done in the heart of the Centurion, because he listens to him! He stops his current futile efforts to save the ship and follows God's instructions as spoken by Paul. I think often times we as Christians in our post-modern humanistic world sometimes feel prisoner to the secular humanistic dogma of our day. But the reality is we should be engaging the culture like Paul, proudly proclaiming the God to whom we belong. We should know that God is in control and that He will work His will.

Second, what a liberating condition Paul was in as he was tossed about the ship sailing toward Rome. His perspective was immediately one of subjection to God's will. Paul was completely content in his situation despite the seemingly high probability of death. He was completely sure of the One who owned him. This is where we need to strive to be with God. Wow, what an impact fathers could be for God if they could just be content with what God gives them in their families, carreers, and bank accounts....forsaking their own worldly desires and fulfilling their God ordained roles as priest, prophet, and king....discipling their families in the Word, providing for their welfare, and protecting their honor.

I thing this is one of the major struggles of Christians today....especially for fathers. So, when you feel like a prisoner to the world, remember who you are and keep up your courage and know that God is in total control.