Fair Winds or Foul?

Narrator: Chris Genthree

Duration: 1min

• 1 min. read • grade level: 6

Following Clear Direction from the Lord (Acts 16:9-10⁹And a vision appeared to Paul in the night; There stood a man of Macedonia, and prayed him, saying, Come over into Macedonia, and help us. ¹⁰And after he had seen the vision, immediately we endeavored to go into Macedonia, assuredly gathering that the Lord had called us for to preach the gospel unto them. (Acts 16:9‑10)).

“Therefore loosing from Troas, we came with a straight course to Samothracia, and the next day to Neapolis” (Acts 16:11¹¹Therefore loosing from Troas, we came with a straight course to Samothracia, and the next day to Neapolis; (Acts 16:11)).

Driven by a deep love for the Jews Paul heads for Jerusalem, but without direct instruction from the Lord.

“And we sailed away from Philippi after the days of unleavened bread, and came unto them to Troas in five days; where we abode seven days.” (Acts 20:6⁶And we sailed away from Philippi after the days of unleavened bread, and came unto them to Troas in five days; where we abode seven days. (Acts 20:6)).

Troas to Neapolis takes 2 days in the will of God. Neapolis to Troas took 5 days sailing against the will of God. Sure, there may have been prevailing winds, currents or pirates to dodge—but that doesn’t seem to be the real story here. Paul faced the peril of robber, shipwreck and beating when he was serving the Lord. Difficult circumstances may just be a call to dependence and persistence in the will of the Lord. But sometimes difficult circumstances may be a wakeup call. Sometimes it’s the Spirit’s gentle breathing of the instruction to stop and ask for the Lord’s mind—we’ve lost our way and need directions.

Click here to show subject links in the text for more information.