How does God open up the doors for ministry? Why is it that sometimes the sharing of His word happens so easily – toward a receptive heart, while others will not listen?
In Acts 28, Paul and a group comprised of soldiers, prisoners and sailors set sail for Rome. On their way they encountered a bad storm and after more than 2 weeks of this stormy crisis, they were shipwrecked. God, in His provision and faithfulness, kept His word at preventing the loss of even one life.
As God would have it, the ship crashes and breaks apart off of the island of Malta. In their kindness, the people of the island built a fire on the shore, as it was still stormy out) to welcome the shipwreck survivors. “As Paul gathered an armful of sticks and was laying them on the fire, a poisonous snake, driven out by the heat, bit him on the hand. The people of the island saw it hanging from his hand and said to each other, “A murderer, no doubt! Though he escaped the sea, justice will not permit him to live.” But Paul shook off the snake into the fire and was unharmed. The people waited for him to swell up or suddenly drop dead. But when they had waited a long time and saw that he wasn’t harmed, they changed their minds and decided he was a god.” (Acts 28:3-6)
The people of Malta are now sure that this man, Paul, is special. Truly, though they misunderstood at this time who Paul actually was – a follower of God and not an actual God, their hearts seem primed now to listen to whatever he has to say. God used the shipwreck and the snakebite to open up the door to the hearts of these people.
Not only were the people of Malta in need of hearing the gospel message, these crazy acts allowed for those on the ship – the sailors, soldiers and prisoners to each experience with their own eyes God’s power and provision.
The scripture continues: “Near the shore where we landed was an estate belonging to Publius, the chief official of the island. He welcomed us and treated us kindly for three days. As it happened, Publius’s father was ill with fever and dysentery. Paul went in and prayed for him, and laying his hands on him, he healed him. Then all the other sick people on the island came and were healed. As a result we were showered with honors, and when the time came to sail, people supplied us with everything we would need for the trip.” (Acts 28:7-10).
God was fulfilling his promise to Paul. His plan had not changed. Paul was still going to Rome and would stand before Caesar. God was meeting needs. All the cargo – even the ship itself (the method of transportation to Rome) was no more. Yet God, the great provider, through the ministry of Paul on the island, supplied their every need for the journey. Every need.
God’s plans are not partial plans. God is not surprised by the twists and turns of our lives. God is not shocked by our circumstances. He is not only prepared to help, but He stands ready to meet each and every need that will arise. God, like the great conductor is orchestrating a variety of instruments (people and circumstances) into something beautiful, full of power – something good.
Shipwrecks and snakebites would not be the means in which we would choose for ourselves. Crisis never is. And yet, crisis has a way of stripping our independence away and causing us to seek and depend fully upon something stronger than ourselves. May our something stronger always be the One who holds the universe together.
Blessings!