Today in the One Year Bible, we read from Acts 27:1-20. Paul has found favor with the Roman officer in charge of his transport, so he gives him some freedom. And Paul tries to tell the ship captain that there is trouble ahead, but they don't listen to him. Instead they listen to the experts on the subject, and of course we know how this ends: shipwreck.
It's funny, though, when you step out of the story and think about it. Of COURSE they listened to the people who actually knew something about sailing and the sea, rather than to Paul who was a religious leader. And in our lives today, we tend to listen to the experts, too, don't we? We stay away from fatty foods and we wear our seatbelts and we try to stop smoking and we don't drink and drive.
In the end, of course, we all face the same destination. The one that both Ross Perot and Rip Torn faced in the last few hours. We will go to "our reward", whatever that might be. And we trust in God to give us the mercy we need rather than the justice we deserve.
So let's be sure to store up some good treasure for that destination, right? Let's sow love into the lives of those around us. Let's help others to find their way to their rewards. Let's make the world a better place, so that heaven will be better still.
God, thanks for your grace and mercy - help us to take advantage of them to make our lives better: here and later.
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