Reporting for Duty

"a ship sailing"

Acts 21:2

Have you ever asked the question, "How come they get to?"

Have you ever thought it?

We probably all thought it as kids.   Probably said it, too.  In a high-pitched voice of complaint.

And maybe your mother responded with something like, "if they jumped off a cliff, would you, too?"

See, your mother knew that what was right for others was not necessarily right for you.

Your mother also knew that jumping off a cliff is not right for anyone.  

Now, who do you think of, in the Bible, if I say "boat" ?  Peter fishing?  Jesus calming the storm?  Paul shipwrecked on the island of Malta?

What if I say "boat" and "God's wrath" ?  Then where does your mind go?  Probably to one of two places:  Jonah, or Noah.

But there's a big difference between Jonah and Noah.  Noah got on a boat as a refuge from God's wrath.  Jonah got on a boat and incurred God's wrath.

Noah boarded a ship to to save humanity.  Jonah boarded a ship to escape his responsibility.

For Noah, getting on a boat was obedience.  For Jonah, the same action was disobedience. 

Just another reminder to me to not compare my life with others.  Obedience is personal.

"Then in fellowship sweet, we will sit at His feet, 
     or we'll walk by His side in the way;
what He says, we will do; where He sends, we will go;
          never fear, only trust and obey."
               (John H. Sammis, 1846-1919)

 ~ "I have obeyed the voice of the Lord my God,

and have done according to all

    that You have commanded me." ~

Deuteronomy 26:14

~