And when they had taken up the anchors, they committed themselves unto the sea, and loosed the rudder bands, and hoised up the mainsail to the wind, and made toward shore. Acts 27:40
After two weeks of cowering in fear and inability to act, the ship on which the apostle Paul was travelling underwent a major transformation. Day had broken, and Paul had declared that everyone on board was going to survive. He had encouraged everyone to eat, and for the first time in two weeks, everyone had the stomach to do so. So with their hunger appeased, their hopes high, and the land within sight, the sailors, and everyone else aboard the vessel, committed themselves to action. They could see their goal, and they could make their plans, and they could make progress. They were like us, when we find ourselves mired in problems that threaten to overwhelm us, and need to jump into action to lift ourselves to safety.
If the sailors had left the anchors in place, the ship would have remained at the mercy of the pounding seas, and there would have been no progress toward land. As Christians, we also need to let go of those things that hold us back from a victorious life. The harmful habits, the worldly companions, the fleshly entertainments, these all keep us in turmoil and hinder our progress. Just as the sailors cut the ropes that held the anchors, we need to cut the ties to the destructive things that prevent us from being the Christians that we ought.
While the ship was at anchor awaiting the day, the rudder had been lashed to the side, to prevent it from being destroyed by the waves. But now, with the anchors gone and the ship ready to proceed, the rudder bands were loosened. The crew could now steer the ship. When you and I are ready to make progress for God, we also need to remove the bands from our rudders. We need to give up our own ideas and plans, and commit ourselves to the direction and guidance of the Word of God and the Holy Spirit. Then we will be guided aright.
In order to get some control over the ship, the sailors hoisted the sail to the wind. Now, they were going to make progress. The sail would deliver them from being at the mercy of the ocean currents. We also need to hoist our sails to make progress. Unless we are moving ahead in our spiritual walk for God, we are at the mercy of conditions around us, and are at risk of shipwreck. It is only as we are moving forward, learning the Word of God, serving the people of God, striving for the furtherance of the Gospel, maintaining a faithful testimony before the world, that we can be preserved from the dangers around us.
Let us boldly venture forth with a commitment to serve our Lord. Nothing else is worth living for. -Jim MacIntosh