Missed opportunity
And because the harbor was not suitable to winter in, the majority advised to set sail from there also, if by any means they could reach Phoenix, a harbor of Crete opening toward the southwest and northwest, and winter there. Acts 27:12
I wrote earlier in Acts about alternate endings. When the apostle Paul was trying to go to Asia to preach the gospel, but it wasn’t working out. Then he had a dream about someone calling him to go to Macedonia. If Paul had pressed through and ignored the Holy Spirit, the results would be a totally different world than what we live in today. There definitely would have been an alternate result of his ministry.
In the reading today, once again there could have been an alternate ending. Paul was on his way to Rome and the ship that was taking him there needed to harbor for the winter. However, because the majority of the crew did not find the harbor suitable to stay for that length of time, they decided to try to get to a harbor in Crete. If they had heeded the warnings of Paul, they could have saved their cargo and their ship, not to mention spent the winter there with Paul and significantly impacted that region with the message of salvation. As we know, anywhere Paul was there were signs, wonders and salvation. This crew could have spent the entire winter becoming disciples of the good news message instead of almost dying in the great sea and losing all but their lives there.
As I consider alternate endings today, I sometimes see them as missed opportunities. Many times, when following the plan of God, they are missed opportunities for failure, which I am happy to miss. In the case of the passage today, it was a missed opportunity to spend time with Paul and mission out on learning much about the revelation he had been given in his lifetime. We often do not recognize the opportunities we are missing because we are moved by the things we can see and figure out on our own. If we would instead be led by God’s Spirit, we could capitalize on every opportunity He brings our way. No matter how outlandish it may seem.
Today I want to encourage you to be on the lookout for opportunities your heavenly Father may be trying to get you to step into. One way to recognize them is if you are constantly being offered the same thing over and over. For example, a job opportunity or a move of some kind that has some questions or even looks like a step backwards. Often times, God is rerouting your life, and it can look like backtracking when it is actually a set up for a turn around. Listen closely for the subtle hints He is giving you and when you have opportunities, don’t make your decisions based on your own understanding or what you think that others would expect you to do, or they would do themselves. Instead, wait until the direction is plain and clear from the Holy Spirit, then ask Him to increase your faith, give you His empowering grace and strengthen His peace inside of you as you take steps in that direction. Most times the steps will be slow and subtle so you can see things working out as you are faithful to get there. We have an advantage over those in the world of the Holy Spirit inside of us. Let’s start following His direction instead of following the blind leaders of the blind. Before long, others will be wanting to hear how things always seem to work out for you and you can tell them about your secret weapon of your divine connection.
Today’s Scripture Reading: Acts 27:9-12
9 Now when much time had been spent, and sailing was now dangerous because the Fast was already over, Paul advised them,
10 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.”
11 Nevertheless the centurion was more persuaded by the helmsman and the owner of the ship than by the things spoken by Paul.
12 And because the harbor was not suitable to winter in, the majority advised to set sail from there also, if by any means they could reach Phoenix, a harbor of Crete opening toward the southwest and northwest, and winter there.
The Daily Dose 