Last night an angel of the God to whom I belong and whom I serve stood beside me 24 and said, ‘Do not be afraid, Paul. You must stand trial before Caesar; and God has graciously given you the lives of all who sail with you.’ – Acts 27:23-24
They’re headed for Rome, and It was smooth sailing from Caesarea to Crete. Soon after they are at the mercy of the winds. Sometimes the winds take us where they, not we, want to go. Paul predicted the trip would be “disastrous and bring great loss to ship and cargo, and to our own lives also” (27:10).
If you were at the mercy of winds which would you listen to? An experienced pilot or an imprisoned prophet? I imagine Paul comes off like someone with Googled medical knowledge diagnosing a medical conditions. It didn’t help that Paul reminded them that they failed to listen to a prophet instead of a pilot on how to manage a boat on the sea. It did help that he assured them that an angel revealed to him no one would be lost by the storm even if the boat would be destroyed.
Word to the wise: Listen to the prophets.
About Corey Sharpe
Where do we get our beliefs?
Three theological perspectives have significantly shaped my Christian identity: Evangelicalism, the early Methodist tradition and liberation theology.
From my coming to faith in a Baptist church and throughout my education in a Baptist school and college, I was nurtured by convictions that emphasized a spiritual rebirth, a personal relationship with Jesus Christ and the centrality of the Bible. Even when I disagree with certain aspects of evangelicalism, it has deeply influenced my sense of what it means to be a follower of Jesus Christ.
My seminary studies spawned my interest in early Methodism, particularly its approach to spiritual formation. Its leaders were convinced that only a foundation of doctrine and discipline would lead to a meaningful transformation of the heart and mind. In other words, having the mind of Christ enables me to be more like Christ.
Life in a suburban culture obscures the increasing gap between the poor and rich, as well as the Bible’s close identification with the poor. My doctoral work in socio-cultural context exposed me to liberation theology, which helps me see redemptive history as a history of oppressed groups, written from the perspective of the powerless, about a God who is actively involved with the poor in their struggles.
I am now the pastor at Mount Zion United Methodist Church in St Mary’s County, Maryland. Together my wife and I have 4 children.
The Other Six Days 