Beating a Different Drum

Author Biography

Ruth's been with CBN for 27 years. She loves to play the guitar, sing with the worship team at her church, and have Friday night “PJ-parties” and Saturday morning pancake breakfasts with the grandkids. That’s her favorite part of the week.

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Do you ever feel like there’s just too much news?

Too much chaos from around the world flooding your heart and mind until tension and fear begin to take over?

I’ve been there.

A few years ago, when my church called for a fast at the beginning of the year, I chose to fast from social media and the news. Not because those things are bad in themse, but because they had become overwhelming to me. Everywhere I looked, it felt like no one was truly listening anymore. People were shouting at one another, talking over each other, convinced that raising their voices would somehow convince others they were right.

Instead of feeling informed, I felt anxious. Instead of feeling connected, I felt heavy.

That month, every time I reached for my phone—every time my finger hovered over a social media icon—I chose to turn to Jesus instead. I prayed. I paused. I redirected my attention to Him.

And peace flooded my soul.

Without the constant noise, I became aware of how steady God’s presence really is. While others were predicting disaster, fear no longer ruled my thoughts. I found myself calm, grounded, and able to encourage those around me. I wasn’t ignoring reality—I was facing it with my eyes fixed on the One who holds it all together.

I was, and still am, following a different beat—following the beat of a different drum altogether.

In today’s reading, we see something similar during Paul’s missionary journey. Acts 27 tells the story of a violent storm and a terrifying shipwreck. For 14 days, 276 men were battered by relentless wind and waves. They were exhausted, starving, and fearful for their lives. Yet Paul remained steady because his focus was not on the storm, but on God.

Paul encouraged them:

“For the last fourteen days”, he said, “you have been in constant suspense and have gone without food—you haven’t eaten anything. Now I urge you to take some food. You need it to survive. Not one of you will lose a single hair from his head. (Acts 27:33-34)

Then Paul did something powerful. He didn’t just speak words of encouragement. He showed them how to respond.

Scripture tells us he took the bread, gave thanks to God in front of everyone, and began to eat. Only after he did this did the others follow his lead. His faith set the tone. His peace became contagious.

I love that. In the middle of chaos, Paul thanked God. In the middle of fear, he acted with trust.

Unfortunately, not much has changed since then. The world is still turbulent. Voices are still raised. Headlines still stir fear. But today, just like then, we have a choice.

We can choose to fix our eyes on the One who holds the whole world in His hands. With childlike trust, we can be the ones who encourage others to look up—to remember where real help comes from.

Instead of joining the panic, we can set the temperature in the room. Instead of echoing fear, we can model peace. Instead of being overwhelmed, we can reflect confidence in the God who already holds our tomorrow.

Let’s keep beating that different drum.

Help Wanted

When You’re Stuck in the Storm