This part in Acts kept reminding me of a talk I thought I had heard somewhere, but I couldn't find a reference anywhere. So, I made up my own.
Acts 27:43-44
43 But the centurion, willing to save Paul, kept them from their purpose; and commanded that they which could swim should cast themselves first into the sea, and get to land:
44 And the rest, some on boards, and some on broken pieces of the ship. And so it came to pass, that they escaped all asafe to land.
The Lord had promised that they all would live.
Some were strong enough to swim to shore.
But some had to use boards or broken pieces to make it.
I imagine using a board to get to land would not be as fast as swimming.
And I'm sure I would not feel in control of the situation.
There are sometimes, in life, when I feel strong enough to accomplish what is needed.
I can "swim and get to land".
But there are lots of other times when I feel that the only way I can make it is by clinging to broken pieces or boards; barely surviving.
I just have to hold on and hope I make it.
Either way, the Lord will fulfill His promises.
He will help me get "asafe to land".
I know He will.
Another thought:
Even if I'm a "broken piece", I can still help others around me.
This accomplishes the Lord's promises, too.
