Contrary winds : When God Has a Purpose

"The winds were contrary." Acts 27:4

When life hands us lemons, it can be challenging to trust that God has a purpose for us. In Acts 27, Paul’s life seemed to be an unending series of challenges, however, it was clear that God had a plan for Paul. He had been falsely accused by Jewish leaders, arrested by the Romans, manipulated by officials who could have set him free, and told he could have avoided imprisonment if he hadn’t appealed to Caesar. Now, on his way to Rome as a prisoner, his ship faced a life-threatening storm.

While world travel can be difficult, time-consuming, and dangerous in our day, we easily forget how much easier, faster, and safer travel is for us than for people in the time of Paul. With no GPS, weather radar, or rescue resources, Paul's long trip from Caesarea to Rome — largely at sea in a bad time of year for sailing on the Mediterranean Sea — was treacherous and dangerous. The details in the verses in Acts 27 verses 4-9 about the early difficulties in sailing foreshadow the extreme danger lurking ahead for Paul and his companions. Paul eventually arrived in Rome because God willed him to be there to use his influence and bless the disciples. Throughout the difficult sea voyage, Paul's influence grew, and God blessed those around Paul because of him! God has called us, like Paul, not only to be blessed but also to share that blessing with others.

When you set out to do anything for God, the enemy will bring 'contrary winds' (Acts 27:4). If you feel like you're sailing against the wind, you're probably headed in the right direction! The Bible says Jesus was 'tempted by the devil' (Matthew 4:1). Satan never lets up, including the night before Jesus was crucified when 'Satan entered into Judas...one of the twelve' (Luke 22:3).

Reimar Schultze says, 'Wherever you go today, Satan will... He will make you fall if you leave home without your spiritual armour on; if you leave your belt of truth...in the closet, your breastplate of righteousness...by the door, your gospel shoes under your bed, or if you leave your shield of faith, the sword of the Spirit and the helmet of salvation behind you...If you say at daybreak, "I will pray whenever I get a chance today," you just gave away your victory. Before long the wrong words will come out of your mouth, you will look at forbidden fruits and display an improper attitude. The most foolish thing [you] can do is to leave home unarmed and spiritually naked. A fool says, "I have no time to pray," but later...he finds all kinds of time to attempt to repair the damage prayerlessness ... produced.... Following Jesus is not a walk in the park...Every good thing in the Kingdom...from Adam on has come to us through men and women who stuck it out when the going got tough. The biblical history of the church ends with [these victorious words]... "and so we came to Rome"' (Acts 28:14).

Paul’s story reminds us that sometimes God allows us to struggle while guiding us toward his purpose. Other times, he steps in and directs us with unmistakable clarity.