Stop, Eat, Lighten the Load
Laura Digan
October 27, 2023
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Acts 27: 27-39 (NRSVA)
27 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. 28 So they took soundings and found twenty fathoms; a little farther on they took soundings again and found fifteen fathoms. 29 Fearing that we might run on the rocks, they let down four anchors from the stern and prayed for day to come. 30 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, 31 Paul said to the centurion and the soldiers, ‘Unless these men stay in the ship, you cannot be saved.’ 32 Then the soldiers cut away the ropes of the boat and set it adrift.
33 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. 34 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.’ 35 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. 36 Then all of them were encouraged and took food for themselves. 37 (We were in all two hundred and seventy-six persons in the ship.) 38 After they had satisfied their hunger, they lightened the ship by throwing the wheat into the sea.
39 In the morning they did not recognize the land, but they noticed a bay with a beach, on which they planned to run the ship ashore, if they could.
In the tempest of the sea, on the brink of shipwreck Paul urges everyone to rest and eat. Just like Elijah, whom we explored at the start of the week, who was despairing physically and mentally and the angel guided him to rest and eat.
I know myself in times of high stress, times of fear, my eating and sleeping patterns go out the window.
It is important we are nourished and rested. We can see this from the example of Jesus who took himself away to rest and pray after times of busyness and stress. And so much of Jesus' ministry was based around food and eating with people.
It can seem easier said than done, but in times of storm and stress it is important we take time to slow down, eat well and get enough rest. Take care of ourselves.
And at the same time let the Lord nourish you and replenish your spirit by making time to spend with him in prayer and reading his word.
PRAYER:
Lord I lay our burdens at your feet
I open myself to you
Feed me
Nourish me
And let me rest in you
With you
Amen
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