Acts 27:14 Before very long, a wind of hurricane force, called the Northeaster, swept down from the island. The ship was caught by the storm and could not head into the wind; so we gave way to it and were driven along.
There are some journeys we are dragged into because of the wrong decisions of others. These are journeys in which the danger could be foreseen and clearly avoided. It could be a misjudgment of a spouse, spiritual leader, error of a teenage child or a big-headed manager that refuses to listen. ‘Learn from the mistakes of others. You can’t live long enough to make them all yourself’ – Eleanor Roosevelt. Such journeys are tough and rough yet you’re there in that boat for a reason.
Paul was taken as a prisoner for preaching the gospel (The Goodnews) to Rome. Paul advised that the voyage to Italy was going to end in a catastrophe. So Paul warned them, “Men, I can see that our voyage is going to be disastrous and bring great loss to ship and cargo, and to our own lives also.” (Acts 27:9b-10). Since the harbour of Fair Havens was unsuitable for winter, the captain and the centurion decided to sail on to Phoenix in Crete. This was a disastrous decision. Ports were closed between mid-November to mid-March during winter as there were unexpected strong northerly or northwesterly winds which could cause shipwrecks. Phoenix was more suitable and more comfortable than Fair Haven and it was only 45 miles from Fair Havens hence, they decided to sail on. Paul had already experienced three shipwrecks by then and he knew the dangers of the seas, but the captain refused to take his advice. Paul was forced into a journey that he did not consent to; yet, God used the praying missionary Paul to save the lives of those who were aboard. ‘God has graciously given you the lives of all who sail with you’ (vs 24).
If you are on a journey that you did not consent to – don’t get sour; be the Paul and save the ship.
Dangerous journeys caused by wrong decisions:
1. Depression: Getting depressed, bitter and angry is not going to help. Paul was the voice of encouragement to the depressed men in the middle of the raging sea. “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” (vs 34). Don’t add destruction to the damage with your demeaning words. Rather encourage and save your family and your future.
2. Damage: Wrong decisions always have consequences. The sailors in the ship had already thrown the cargo overboard and the grain into the sea to lighten the ship. Don’t be distressed about the material loss that can be earned back, but protect your family from permanent damage.
3. Direction: The sailor who first refused to listen to Paul gave ear to his direction which saved all the 276 lives onboard. Be gentle and give godly encouraging redirections.
Be the Paul even in the perilous journeys – resuscitate, recover and redirect.
Acts 27:44b Everyone reached land safely.
Prayer: Dearest Lord Jesus, help me to be the patient rudder that redirects my family-ship when wrong decisions are made. Amen.
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