Wrecked By Reason

The apostle Paul was being led by the LORD to give testimony of Jesus Christ in Rome. before th emperor. But God’s travel booking was different than we would have asked for. Paul was arrested in Jerusalem, threatened with death and only upon claiming ROman citizenship was he taken in chains to Rome.

As the Roman soldier embarks on the international travel with his prisoner Paul they must take the common mode getting across the globe. They hop on a ship. The travel is uneventful, until . . . They are sailing around the island of Crete and really only hop from one harbor town to another on the island. No biggie, right.

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 27:10)

Now Paul has no expeirence as a sailor. He is a learned rabbi and knows tentmaking. Recognize. Listening to worldy experts isn’t madness, but common sense. When my car breaksdown I consult a mechanic not a pastor.

But the centurion, instead of listening to what Paul said, followed the advice of the pilot and of the owner of the ship.  (Acts 27:11)

Of course the roman centurion listened to the experienced sailors instead of apsotle. Paul understood that they were on a spiritual journey, nnot a business trip.

In much of our life it is wise to listen to earthly experts. Often the practical earthly advise seems the way to go.

But every person lives in this world of spiritual storms and chaos. The practical advise cannot overcome impractical battering. Paul tells the waterlogged desperate crew to have faith in God, keep up their courage and be prepared to run agound. (Acts 27:25-26)

So, as believers recognize the limitations of earthly advise. Seek to know where the LORD is leading you and hang on to his guidance in the midst of the journey.