Platforms and Swimming for It

God often teaches me by bring the same lesson to the forefront from a variety of sources, all within a fairly short period of time. Today I heard a sermon on the radio that reinforced the application regarding author platforms that I gleaned from the Old Testament story of Hezekiah.

This time the Scripture comes from the New Testament, from the life of Paul. In the latter part of the book of Acts, Paul the prisoner is on his way to Rome by ship. A storm arises that lasts for days, more than fourteen actually, and they are lost and battered and beginning to lose hope. But Paul sees in a vision an angel who assures him he isn’t going to die, nor are any of the others on board. When at last the ship approaches land, it runs aground and begins to break up.

What does Paul do during this whole time? He’s really quite active for a prisoner. At one point he foils a plot the sailors had to abandon ship and leave the soldiers and prisoners to their own fate. Later, he tells the men to break their fast and eat because they’re going to need their strength for what’s ahead. And ultimately, along with all the others on board, he has to swim for it.

The sailors try to bring the ship into a bay, but strike a reef. The soldiers want to kill the prisoners but the centurion stops them and commands those who can swim to jump overboard and swim for it. The others are to follow on planks or whatever they can grab hold of. And they all make it safely to shore.

Look at some of Paul’s statements which Luke records:

“Unless these men remain in the ship, you yourselves cannot be saved.”

“Therefore, I encourage you to take some food, for this is for your preservation”

Paul followed that last statement by setting an example—he thanked God and ate. The others were encouraged and ate as well. Then they got back to the business of trying to save the ship. They lightened the load, dropped anchors, released anchors, drove the ship toward the bay, and finally realized they had to swim for it.

What does any of that have to do with platforms?

Simply that I see a principle operating in Scripture—in Hezekiah’s situation, Paul’s, and many others—that can apply to writers. Even when God promises to protect or preserve or provide, He does not necessarily expect us to stand by and do nothing but watch. Sometimes He does. But most of the time He expects us to keep up our strength and swim for it when necessary.

I believe God calls some writers to stand and watch what He will do with their work while others I think He tells to get out there and build platforms, even if they have to swim for it to get it done.