May 27th - Reflection

Acts 27:13-38 (NRSV)
Paul survives shipwreck
When a moderate south wind began to blow, they thought they could achieve their purpose; so they weighed anchor and began to sail past Crete, close to the shore. But soon a violent wind, called the northeaster, rushed down from Crete. Since the ship was caught and could not be turned head on into the wind, we gave way to it and were driven. By running under the lee of a small island called Cauda we were scarcely able to get the ship's boat under control. After hoisting it up they took measures to undergird the ship; then, fearing that they would run on the Syrtis, they lowered the sea anchor and so were driven. We were being pounded by the storm so violently that on the next day they began to throw the cargo overboard, and on the third day with their own hands they threw the ship's tackle overboard. When neither sun nor stars appeared for many days, and no small tempest raged, all hope of our being saved was at last abandoned.

Since they had been without food for a long time, Paul then stood up among them and said, "Men, you should have listened to me and not have set sail from Crete and thereby avoided this damage and loss. I urge you now to keep up your courage, for there will be no loss of life among you, but only of the ship. For last night there stood by me an angel of the God to whom I belong and whom I worship, and he said, 'Do not be afraid, Paul; you must stand before the emperor; and indeed, God has granted safety to all those who are sailing with you.' So keep up your courage, men, for I have faith in God that it will be exactly as I have been told. But we will have to run aground on some island."

When the fourteenth night had come, as we were drifting across the sea of Adria, about midnight the sailors suspected that they were nearing land. So they took soundings and found twenty fathoms; a little farther on they took soundings again and found fifteen fathoms. Fearing that we might run on the rocks, they let down four anchors from the stern and prayed for day to come. But when the sailors tried to escape from the ship and had lowered the boat into the sea, on the pretext of putting out anchors from the bow, Paul said to the centurion and the soldiers, "Unless these men stay in the ship, you cannot be saved." Then the soldiers cut away the ropes of the boat and set it adrift.

Just before daybreak, Paul urged all of them to take some food, saying, "Today is the fourteenth day that you have been in suspense and remaining without food, having eaten nothing. Therefore I urge you to take some food, for it will help you survive; for none of you will lose a hair from your heads." After he had said this, he took bread; and giving thanks to God in the presence of all, he broke it and began to eat. Then all of them were encouraged and took food for themselves. (We were in all two hundred seventy six persons in the ship.) After they had satisfied their hunger, they lightened the ship by throwing the wheat into the sea.

Reflection
Through faith in God, Paul had confidence that safety had been granted by God to all on ship. So, Paul took control of the situation with confidence.

There are times when leadership change is needed. There are times when a different style of leadership is needed. In emergency situations a clear thinking individual is best to take the leadership role. This would be a decisive person that can clearly and quickly motivate each person to action towards a very specific goal.

Other times a person that has planning techniques would be the leader preferred. When a well thought out detailed plan is needed to accomplish the goal is needed, speed may not be preferred. In this situation a different type of leader would be needed. There are times when leadership change is needed.

Finally one other of the most common types of leadership styles needed would be the one of the visionary. A person that can bring people together and vision and "see" what is needed for the group as a whole. Leadership changes are needed.

Some of us are better at one type of leadership or another type depending on the environment in which we are placed. It could be that the immediate need for action may be too stressful for a visionary style leadership for this person to be effective in bringing a rescue. It all just depends.

In any case turning to God in prayer, and turning to the Word for direction always leads towards good leadership. We are limited many times by what we see in the here and now. But as we turn to our Heavenly Father and listen, we gain the advantage of truth, wisdom, love, compassion and direction. That moment of pause is so vital in our lives. But it's too easy to speed past that moment and selfishly attempt to take control in our own selfish way.

Take the pause first. It's advice witnessed from this passage when Paul paused to listen in a dream and then took confident action. It's advice easy to hear and see but so hard to do myself. For me I need to take the advice of pause with the Word and prayer. Thanks be to God!

Prayer
Lord, stop me to listen, pray, hear and see the Word. Fill me with the wisdom and leadership style needed for this day...tomorrow...and forever through your Spirit. --- Amen