When the fourteenth night had come, as we were being driven across the Adriatic Sea, about midnight the sailors suspected that they were nearing land. 28 So they took a sounding and found twenty fathoms. A little farther on they took a sounding again and found fifteen fathoms. 29 And fearing that we might run on the rocks, they let down four anchors from the stern and prayed for day to come. 30 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, 31 Paul said to the centurion and the soldiers, “Unless these men stay in the ship, you cannot be saved.” 32 Then the soldiers cut away the ropes of the ship’s boat and let it go.
33 As day was about to dawn, Paul urged them all to take some food, saying, “Today is the fourteenth day that you have continued in suspense and without food, having taken nothing. 34 Therefore I urge you to take some food. For it will give you strength, for not a hair is to perish from the head of any of you.” 35 And when he had said these things, he took bread, and giving thanks to God in the presence of all he broke it and began to eat. 36 Then they all were encouraged and ate some food themselves. 37 (We were in all 276 persons in the ship.) 38 And when they had eaten enough, they lightened the ship, throwing out the wheat into the sea.
39 Now when it was day, they did not recognize the land, but they noticed a bay with a beach, on which they planned if possible to run the ship ashore. 40 So they cast off the anchors and left them in the sea, at the same time loosening the ropes that tied the rudders. Then hoisting the foresail to the wind they made for the beach. 41 But striking a reef, they ran the vessel aground. The bow stuck and remained immovable, and the stern was being broken up by the surf. 42 The soldiers’ plan was to kill the prisoners, lest any should swim away and escape. 43 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, 44 and the rest on planks or on pieces of the ship. And so it was that all were brought safely to land.
John Ortberg’s book, If You Want to Walk on Water, You’ve Got to Get Out of the Boat, invites us “out on the risky waters of faith, [where] Jesus is waiting to meet you in ways that will change you forever, deepening your character and your trust in God. The experience is terrifying. It’s thrilling beyond belief. It’s everything you’d expect of someone worthy to be called Lord.” It’s an engaging book, both challenging and compelling.
Paul has gotten out of the boat in so many ways in his missionary journeys. He was willing to bring the gospel to Gentiles. He was committed to carrying the mission forward in the face of imprisonment, beatings, and ridicule. He went to Europe and is on his way now to Rome. In a boat.
The boat has been storm tossed for many days. It is nearing land, the grave danger of the storm at sea seems nearly past, and now the sailors are seeking to escape from the ship. He warns the centurion and soldiers, “Unless [the sailors] stay in the ship, you cannot be saved.”
Traditional church architecture includes a “nave,” the place where the congregation stands or sits during the service. The word “nave” comes from the Latin word “navis,” meaning “ship.” This symbolism is important in Christian tradition, where the Church is often compared to a ship, carrying the faithful safely through the trials of life.
I don’t want to spiritualize this physical encounter. Their experience during the storm has been traumatic. They are facing grave danger. So this encounter is not really about people staying in the church in order to be saved. But I cannot help but think of the blessings we do receive in the church: fellowship, God’s word, the sacraments, and the specific promise of Jesus’ presence “where two or three are gathered in [his] name.”
Some want to belittle the organized church, saying that Christians and churches turn people off because they get in the way of Jesus. But the church is the body of Christ. And it must take form somehow. A friend of mine likes to say, “You don’t like the organized church? Then come to my church we are highly disorganized!”
We may need to get out of the boat to experience the fullness of taking our faith seriously. But we need to stay in the church to nurture our faith and encourage others in their faith in the One who is the original Water Walker.
David Bahn - Reflections 
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