When The Crisis Simply Won’t Go Away

Several days have passed since Paul was led in chains from the small coastal ship. Having begun his voyage at Caesaria, he is now on the second vessel, departing from Myra. He and the other prisoners are led in chains to the larger ship headed for Rome. For days, they were watching from their prison as slaves carried bags full of grain up the gangplank. Yesterday, Paul wasn’t comforted hearing the ship’s captain yell furiously: “Lazy creatures! Why did it take so long to fill the ship! The winds will be against us if we don’t leave immediately.”

Now, Paul pulls against the chains. He is deep in the belly of the ship where the air is the foulest; the other prisoner’s screams shatter his nerves as the ship battles resistant waves. The ship’s sudden movements make it impossible to find a comfortable position. Just yesterday, he was permitted to speak again to Luke, his traveling companion, who said: “Julius, the centurion, says we are two to three weeks later than we should be. We will be delayed getting to Asia Minor’s last port, Cnidus.”

Thinking about this report, Paul knows this news is anything but positive. His mind goes back to Zechariah 9:12. “Return to your fortress, you prisoners of hope; even now, I announce that I will restore twice as much to you.”

“Hmm. Twice as much. Prisoners will have twice as much! That’s as promised, I’m going to claim it. God has given me twice as many blessings compared to the number of my trials.”

The bulky grain vessel is now out to sea, hugging the Lycian (Turkish) shore. More than a hundred passengers on deck gaze silently as the craft struggles to pass one menacing rock cliff after another. They hardly make way because the winds are against the ship’s westward course.

Mentally, Paul goes through the last ten years of his life. He smiles in the dark, knowing he’s no better off than a slave. It’s uncomfortable no matter how many ways he leans against the base of the mast, the thick wooden column behind him. Far above, the mast pulls one way and then another. Resisting the captain’s demands, the mast groans stubbornly, for the winds are contrary to the vessel’s forward movements.

Closing his eyes, he remembers writing a letter. “Another moment in my ministry!” he thinks.  “We put no stumbling block in anyone’s path so our ministry will not be discredited. Instead, as servants of God, we commend ourselves in every way: in great endurance, in troubles, hardships, and distresses; in beatings, imprisonments, and riots; in hard work, sleepless nights, and hunger.

“Ahh, now the blessings; they are double in number … in purity, understanding, patience, and kindness; in the Holy Spirit and in sincere love; in truthful speech and the power of God; with weapons of righteousness in the right hand and the left; through glory and dishonor, bad report, and good report; genuine, yet regarded as impostors; known, yet regarded as unknown; dying, and yet we live on; beaten and yet, not killed; sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; poor, yet making many rich; having nothing, and yet possessing everything.”

The aging apostle closes his eyes, repeating that portion he wrote in his second letter to the church in Corinth. Scenes frequently come and go. Seeking to praise the Lord in such discomfort, he twists his wrists so that the palms of his hands face upward. “Who has ever given to God that God should repay him?” Paul thinks. “For from him and through him and in him are all things. To him be glory forever.”

Another massive wave strikes the prow, and beside him, one prisoner falls over, complaining, “This delay in the voyage is going to cause everyone distress.” No one can see the deep furrow on his forehead, for it’s dark in the hull’s center.

Straightening himself against the mast again, Paul whispers, “Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord.”

. . .

Christian service must be genuine, which means honesty about the trials and afflictions, balancing the blessings, benefits, relationships, and a sense of hope.

Much of the time, missionary work is carried out with some measure of discomfort. Committing to God’s calling will almost always lead men and women through difficult, painful days. This passage from II Corinthians 6:3-10 is notable, revealing two sides of a distressful situation, the ups and downs of being a slave for Christ.

I encourage all who read this to establish an excellent habit. Review what’s happening in your heart the next time you experience conflict, opposition, or discouragement. Be aware of your physical surroundings. Think about each type of opposition or difficulty. Then, double the number of lines on the other side of the paper. On these, list the blessings associated with your fellowship with Jesus Christ.

Like Zechariah of old, and Paul, a torchbearer of the New Covenant, you will easily compose a list where the blessings significantly out number the foes, the oppressions, and the accusations.

“Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord.”

David Phillips spent many years in South America followed by eleven years in Turkey. His focus has been leadership development, evangelism, church planting, and compassionate ministries. This is the introduction to the third chapter of a forthcoming book: When Things Explode: Making Godly Decision During Crises.