There are times in life things don’t go accordingly to plan.
New Year’s resolution can always be an interesting time of reflection. We
reflect on what we don’t like and vow to change it. Usually these revolve around self-image, losing weight,
being happier, eating better etc.
How often do we focus on other people with our resolutions? Paul
had to focus on other people to save himself. Paul was going through a rough
time. He was being transported on a boat and hurricane like forces were tearing
the boat apart. 14 days the craziness went on and the result was the crew going
that entire time without eating and wondering if they had any chance of living.
The crew was lowered the lifeboat down and to save
themselves. Paul told them if they didn’t stay with the boat, they would die. They
stayed with boat. Paul was able to convince the people to eat for the first
time in 14 days while this storm was going on. Even with a storm going on, Paul did this in Acts 27:34-36…
“Now I urge you to take some food. You need it to survive. Not one of you will
lose a single hair from his head. After he said this, he took some bread and
gave thanks to God in front of them all.
Then he broke it and began to eat.
They were all encouraged and ate some food themselves.”
They survived. Even in front of a group of people that came
from different faiths, he gave thanks to God. What if the captain of the boat
was thickheaded and thought he could survive on his own? He could have said, you’re
just a prisoner and your opinion doesn’t matter to me.
Where would they be if that happened? Sometimes our own
thickheaded thinking keeps us from accomplishing resolutions. Often our
resolutions revolve around what we want selfishly. What if we focused on others? What if this year we decided
we were going to forgive someone else that we haven’t forgiven? Maybe you have
been fighting with someone for a while and you’re waiting for them to apologize
first. A good resolution can be to reconcile a broken relationship.
Often we focus so much on our selfish desires of getting in
shape or eating healthier rather than repairing a relationship. God cares more about
your ability to forgive than your ability to look better with your earthly
body. I have been in an interesting spot lately. I have seen a lot of
relationships struggle and it can all go back to selfish desires.
People want to be forgiven and be right rather than forgive
other people. If the captain of the boat was focused on being right, 276 people
would have died on Paul’s boat. Instead he was humble and listened to the
advice of a prisoner. What can be a true resolution for you…
Forgiving someone else?
Asking someone for forgiveness?Showing grace to someone who hurt you?
Maybe going to counseling and applying what you learn to your own life?
You can be a survivor, one who goes through a bad situation
and comes out strong in the end. Are you ready to be the one to take that first
step? You can have a great resolution. You can be a survivor of a bad
situation.
Have a great day.
