October 18, 2012 - Acts 27:12a

            “Since the harbor was unsuitable to winter in, the majority decided that we should sail on, hoping to reach Phoenix and winter there.”  Acts 27:12a.

            Paul had received a warning from God concerning his journey by ship to Rome.  While at Fair Havens on the Southern coast of Crete, Paul warned the centurion and the ship’s captain of impending peril, if they tried to travel before winter.  The two men decided to listen to the majority and not to Paul, and they pushed forward along the coast of Crete, heading toward Phoenix.  Instead of discerning God’s voice, spoken through Paul, it was decided to do what they thought was right.  Paul could only serve those in authority by giving them the warning, but it was the two men in authority that made the ultimate decision to press forward.

            The challenge for me is discerning God’s will and then handling the consequences, positive or negative, that ensue from the decision that has been made.  Paul discerned God’s warning, but the centurion and ship’s captain ignored this message and chose to take the risk of facing disaster.  It seems to me that there are at least two issues here: 1) discerning God’s will, and 2) obeying and following through with that discernment.  Of the two issues, I struggle more with obedience.  This usually happens when I question whether or not I really heard from God.  As a result, I suffered through the consequences.  Paul, along with everyone else on board, suffered through the consequences, yet God was with them in the horrible storm and guided them to safety.

            Questions to consider: How do you discern God’s will?  How is that working for you? Whether or not you followed through, have you experienced consequences as a result of those messages from God?  What are you learning in the process?

            Prayer: Father, thank You for being with me no matter the results of my discernment process.  Thank You for guiding me through this ongoing process.  Amen.