In the movie Poseidon, there is a dramatic scene where fancy people are in a ship which flips on the water. 

Inside the ship those who go ‘up’ the stairs are actually going deeper down. It is only the people who realize what is happening and who go against conventional logic who do the right thing. 

They go ‘deeper’ into the ship. In so doing they get closer to freedom. They bang on the ‘bottom’ of the boat (which is now the top) and get cut out by the rescuers.*

Today’s devotional is a simple reminder that the ship of our temporary and messed up world is turned upside down. Down is up and up is down. Those who realize it and act accordingly are the ones who experience rescue. 

Let me offer a few reminders about how things really are according to Jesus. 

The meek “will inherit the earth” (Matthew 5:5) not the power-hungry. The peacemakers “will be called children of God” (Matthew 5:9) not the promoters of greed. People are blessed when they are “persecuted because of righteousness” (Matthew 5:10) not those who never have to face any hardship.

Do you ever look around at our world and think that things just don’t seem right? Join the club. There are certainly some good things in our world. But for the most part, the ship is turned upside down.

As you go about your day, you might be tempted to adopt or even promote values which are at odds with God.

Don’t let your eyes deceive you. Seek passionate faith not popularity. Seek treasures in heaven not treasures on earth. Seek the eternal word of God not the latest trends.

As Jesus says in Matthew 5:6: “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.”

---

Notes:

–*As told in: Kyle Idleman, The End of Me: Where Real Life in the Upside-Down Ways of Jesus Begins (David C Cook: Colorado Springs, 2015), 208.

–Bible quotes are from the NIV.