“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 seventy-six persons in the ship.) 38 After they had satisfied their hunger, they lightened the ship by throwing the wheat into the sea.” Acts 27:27-38

Paul’s trip does not seem to be going the way that many would expect – in fact he becomes shipwrecked on the island of Malta. Although he is a prisoner, he continues to care for his fellow prisoners and the crew of the ship, including giving them advice. What a comfort Paul’s presence must have been for all involved.

The ministry of presence is so important with people today. So many times we want to visit someone, or call someone, but we worry too much about what to say. I will tell you that spending time with someone, even if you do not say very much, is still a powerful engagement. We don’t always have to know exactly what to say, or we do not always have to do something…just being present sometimes is enough to make a situation easier for others. More importantly, being present with someone reminds them that they are not alone in the journey on which they have embarked — no matter how difficult the journey, or how dangerous the ministry — no matter how much they feel hated or experience loneliness or isolation — our presence brings to them the very image of Jesus Christ. That, my friends, is a powerful image.

Pastor Dave