Eastertide
May 26, 2014

Scripture Reading: Acts 27:39-44 

The soldiers’ plan was to kill the prisoners, so that none might swim away and escape; but the centurion, wishing to save Paul, kept them from carrying out their plan. He ordered those who could swim to jump overboard first and make for the land, and the rest to follow, some on planks and others on pieces of the ship. And so it was that all were brought safely to land. — Acts 27:42-44 

The ship on which Paul was being transported to Rome for trial ran aground on a reef a ways out from an Island, in swimming distance for some.  The ones who could not swim the distance or could not swim at all had to receive special attention to save their lives. Parts of the wooden ship were used as floating devices and all were saved.

Many Americans have a “pull yourself up from your bootstraps” mentality based on our pioneering history. Indeed, we are called on to do all that we can to become fully the person God created us to be, but sometimes a little help along the way is necessary. I lived with a really bad knee for many years before being told that it would need to be replaced. In the same conversation, it was explained that I would need to wait ten years before they would replace it because I was too young to have the surgery. So I limped around for a while moving from one place to sit to the next, unable to climb stairs, and dependent on a cane. When I changed primary care physicians, my new doctor prescribed medication and treatment that helped me become more mobile and return to swimming. He did concur with the practice of waiting until age sixty for the surgery.  I had the surgery as soon as I could. (About the time I hit 60, the technology had improved and the age limit was no longer recommended.) The muscles in my thigh above my damaged knee had atrophied in the meantime and it took an expert personal trainer to help me regain the use of those muscles following the surgery.

I am sharing this story with you because I think it is important for all of us to realize that there have been “others” who have helped all of us along the way and that we are called to be that “other” for our neighbors as the need arises. It is great, if we can swim to shore on our own. Using that skill would be a way to celebrate those who came before us and taught us how to swim as we guide the plank to which someone who cannot swim clings in desperation and fear.

Prayer: O God, I celebrate all those who gave me help when I needed it. Show me ways I can be of help to the “Other” that I meet along the way. Amen.

All scriptures are quoted from the New Revised Standard Version Bible: Anglicized Edition, copyright 1989, 1995, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of Churches of Christ in the United States of American. Used by permission. All rights reserved.