“…Paul advised them, saying, ‘Men, I perceive that this voyage will end with disaster and much loss, not only of the cargo and ship, but also our lives.’ Nevertheless the centurion was more persuaded by the helmsman and the owner of the ship than by the things spoken by Paul…. So when the ship was caught, and could not head into the wind, we let her drive.” Acts 27:9-11, 15

Let ‘er Drive

Before my son graduated high school, he fell in love and married a girl who was a little older than he was. The most we could do was persuade him to at least wait until he graduated. My son was “in recovery” from a breakup and was certain this lonely girl was the one for him. We loved her dearly, but at their age, their hearts were bound to change—and they did. (I do know people who married just as young, and their marriage remains strong today, but that seems to be the exception.) As parents, after saying all we felt could be said, and much prayer, all we could do was let things “play out” and deal with the consequences as they came along.

The voice of reason should be a powerful deterrent against doing something hastily, but it often isn’t. We think we know best. We want what we want. Feelings and intuition hold sway over our minds—and it’s usually hard to talk someone out of something they have already decided to do.

On Paul’s last ship voyage, he saw danger ahead. Call it wisdom, or discernment, or knowledge, but it was a gift of God. He advised the centurion of the certain disaster, but the centurion wasn’t persuaded. Instead of listening to wise counsel, he listened instead to the helmsman and the ship owner, who wanted to sail ahead and see if things improved. If they had a little check in their minds, they ignored it.

We do this, too! We have made up our minds, contrary to sound advice, contrary to the checks. We listen to others who convince us to do something foolish. Majority rules. Experts decide. “And because the harbor was not suitable to winter in, the majority advised to set sail from there also…” (verse 12).

When facing a storm, we have His sure Word on which to base our decisions. HIS is the voice of reason. HIS advice is sound. HE is the majority that rules. HE is the expert in all things. What He says in His Word is wisdom, discernment and knowledge—ALWAYS. Not only that, but it is also good, and acceptable and perfect. “And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God” (Romans 12:2).

“Lord, we want to hear You when You warn us, advise us, put a check in us. Help us recognize those “others” and “experts” when they are leading us astray from Your will. Amen.”