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The theme for our reflection is “All hands on deck”. All hands on deck is a situation in which every available person is needed or called to assist in achieving a particular goal. Paul together with other prisoners, soldiers and sailors, numbering 276 passengers were in a ship when the unfortunate happened, the ship was storm-tossed by a violent wind. In the midst of the turbulence and distress, the sailors wanted to escape but Paul advised the Centurion and the soldiers to stop them from escaping lest they all perish. “And fearing that we might run on the rocks, they let down four anchors from the stern and prayed for day to come. And as the sailors were seeking to escape from the ship, and had lowered the ship’s boat into the sea under pretense of laying out anchors from the bow, Paul said to the centurion and the soldiers, “Unless these men stay in the ship, you cannot be saved.” Then the soldiers cut away the ropes of the ship’s boat and let it go. (Acts 27:29-32)

Dear friend, a sailor is a person who works as a member of the crew of a commercial or naval ship or boat. It was interesting and surprising to observe that the sailors who ought to be the professionals in salvaging the situation panicked and rather wanted to escape from the ship realising that there was danger or possibility of shipwreck ahead. The sailors who were trained and more knowledgeable in such incidents had wanted to escape, leaving their helpless passengers on board. Paul noticed their intention and realised that their escape will further jeopardise the situation and lead to the loss of lives therefore he played a pivotal role in ensuring that all-hands-on-deck approach was used in working together to save everyone on the ship. Paul’s faith in the Lord made him courageous in playing an instrumental role in encouraging others in ensuring that they work together as a team in saving lives amidst the fatal shipwreck. Beloved in the Lord, we would realise that the passengers on the ship were of different classes and ranks yet in the face of danger, it was important for an all on hands deck or unity in strength approach to be used. Death does not discriminate, death obviously will not pass by the rich and powerful during the shipwreck and take away the lives of the prisoners and the poor, everyone’s life was important at that material moment. It was for this reason, Paul played a leadership role in ensuring that everyone was focused on the goal of saving lives on the ship and that could only be possible if they worked together as a team by ensuring that all hands on deck principle is applied.

Beloved in the lord, let us endeavour to work together regardless of our differences in making this world a better place in all spheres of human interest and endeavours. All hands on deck principle is needed in ensuring that the world achieves economic and environmental justice, peace and respect for human dignity. Regardless of our religion, race, tribe or political affiliation, we must live by the principle of all hands on deck in our communities, countries and continents. The principle of all hands on deck is well understood when Jesus prayed for His disciples and by extension all Christian in the world, “that they may all be one, just as you, Father, are in me, and I in you, that they also may be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me. (John 17:21). Christians are greatly encouraged to work towards unity and progress wherever they find themselves. Shalom.

PRAYER

Dear Lord, let our faith in you grant us the courage to lead and encourage others regardless of our differences to work together through the principle of “all hands on deck” in overcoming injustice, poverty, war and other evils that threaten our mutual existence in the world.