Suffer Loss
And the rest, some on boards and some on parts of the ship. And so it was that they all escaped safely to land. ~ Acts 27:44
A couple of weeks ago, I was editing a project on my computer. The program I was using did not have auto save, so I made sure to select the save button regularly so I would not lose my progress. After a full week of shifting, correcting, and improving the document, I went to make one last change on the final day and suddenly the file disappeared. When I finally found it, I immediately hit save to make sure I would keep all the work I had just done. A message box popped up asking if I wanted to change a saved document. In my panic, I selected yes. Without realizing what I was doing and every adjustment I had made that week was wiped out. I frantically searched my history and every possible folder for a backup copy. There was nothing. I stared helplessly at my screen, knowing I had caused the error and that there was almost no chance of recovering it. I felt like crying as I remembered other times this had happened to me or others. In the grand scheme, it was a small matter, and I knew it only affected me. I finally accepted that I would need to start over and hoped I would remember enough to recreate what had been lost.
Most of us experience the loss of possessions at different times. Whether through misplacing and item or leaving something behind. One of the hardest moments I remember was when my son lost his first car in an accident. I was deeply grateful he was completely unharmed, yet it still hurt to watch him go through the disappointment and regret wishing the outcome could have been different. Years later, he never thinks about that car anymore and has owned many since. Things are replaceable, but losing them still brings real disappointment.
In today’s reading, Paul and those traveling with him finally made it safely to shore, but the ship that carried them was destroyed in the storm. Everything on board was gone. Even though Paul was a prisoner, I am sure he had belongings with him. Luke and Aristarchus, his companions, likely had important writings, tools, or personal items as well. Luke often recorded their journeys and Paul wrote letters regularly. It is possible that some of their notes were lost in the storm. At the time, none of them knew those words would eventually become part of scripture and guide the church for generations. I am grateful God protects His Word so that it is never lost. overall, I believe they were thankful to be alive even though they likely felt sadness over the things that were gone, trusting God to restore whatever they truly needed.
I am grateful for the things that make my life and ministry easier, but I also ask myself this question: if I were to lose those comforts, would I still live with gratitude, or would I cling to disappointment over what I no longer had? God is not against me having things, but He does not want anything to own my heart. That is reserved for Him. Things wear out, get broken, and fail, but when I give my heart fully to Him, He always provides what I need to accomplish His purpose.
Below are some ways to apply this passage and how to get started:
- Ask God daily to sit on the throne of your heart
- Choose to thank God for what you have instead of focusing on what is lost
- See loss as temporary and trust that God can restore what is truly needed
- Ask the Holy Spirit to help you hold things loosely
- Shift your attention toward what matters most, which is your life saved in Christ and the lives of those you love
- Take time to notice when you are letting possessions take too much space inside your heart
- Practice gratitude today for the things that support your purpose rather than define your identity
Today I want to encourage you to release your grip on the things that can never satisfy your heart and invite God to take His rightful place inside of you. When loss comes, whether it is something small like a document or something necessary like a vehicle, He will comfort you and provide what you need to move forward. Lift your eyes and choose a big-picture view today, knowing the most important treasure is your life saved by God and the lives He longs to reach through you.
If you have never received God’s gift of salvation, you can do that today. Ask Him to come into your heart and take His place in your life. Pray sincerely from your heart and He will save you. He will equip you with everything you need to fulfill the purpose He created you for.
Pray: God in heaven, I know I’m a sinner and I need a Savior. I want to turn away from my sinful life to the life You have planned for me. Please forgive my sins, cleanse me from my past, and make me new today. I know Your Son, Jesus died for me. I believe in my heart that You raised Him from the dead. At this very moment, I accept, confess, and proclaim Jesus as my personal Lord and Savior . . . to be Lord of my life from this day forward. I now have a right relationship with God my Father through this salvation in the blood of Jesus. I thank You for giving me Your Holy Spirit to guide me and to empower me to accomplish the things You have planned for my life in Jesus’ name, Amen
Today’s scripture reading: Acts 27:39-44
39 When it was day, they did not recognize the land; but they observed a bay with a beach, onto which they planned to run the ship if possible.
40 And they let go the anchors and left them in the sea, meanwhile loosing the rudder ropes; and they hoisted the mainsail to the wind and made for shore.
41 But striking a place where two seas met, they ran the ship aground; and the prow stuck fast and remained immovable, but the stern was being broken up by the violence of the waves.
42 And the soldiers’ plan was to kill the prisoners, lest any of them should swim away and escape.
43 But the centurion, wanting to save Paul, kept them from their purpose, and commanded that those who could swim should jump overboard first and get to land,
44 and the rest, some on boards and some on parts of the ship. And so it was that they all escaped safely to land.
Journal:
- What loss in my life still lingers in my thoughts or emotions?
- What does this passage show me about God’s protection and His ability to restore?
- How tightly am I holding onto things that cannot last?
- What comforts or possessions do I fear losing, and why?
- What can I thank God for today that I normally overlook?
The Daily Dose 