LINING UP WITH HEAVEN'S AGENDA
I love the story in Acts of Apostle Paul's journey on a ship. Which, to me, is like a metaphor for America in many ways, perhaps it has significance in our own individual lives as well. Read on and tell me what you think.
Have you ever been in a situation where in example the vehicle, the vessel, the institution, the marriage, the company, or the Church isn’t doing what God really wants it to do but …you’re also not in charge? Or so you think?
Paul is a prisoner on a ship and his assignment was to go to Rome.
He had a message for the owner of the ship, the captain of the ship, and the Roman god on the ship (aka the Government, the business or economy, and the military). Paul called all three of them together and said something like the following:
“Sirs I represent the Religious Mountain. I recognize that you don’t think I have authority to speak about these things, but you would be well advised to listen to me. Your economy and your military assignment are about to get whacked. In other words, listen to me the fanatic because if you leave at the wrong time I perceive this voyage will be not only in much danger but there will be loss of cargo and lives.”
Acts 27:9-10: “So Paul warned them. ‘Men, I can see that our voyage is going to be disastrous and bring great loss to ship and cargo, and to our own lives also [NIV].'”
They probably met together apart from “the Religious Fanatic” and the Owner of the ship most likely said “it’s my ship, I’ll risk it.” The Captain may have said “good weather I’ll do it.” And the Roman Centurion might have said: “what do I know about these things! But, I’m with you.”
Acts 27:11: “But the centurion, instead of listening to what Paul said, followed the advice of the pilot and of the owner of the ship [NIV].”
They did not listen to Paul and instead took off on the voyage, with a fair wind a blowing. However, the perception of the prophetic had seen the future.
Indeed the ship did get hit by a perfect storm where three fronts came together at one time and drove the ship all over the place. After they had given up all hope of living, tossed in every direction, Paul gets visited by an angel. Why? Because he went to warfare over the destiny that was about to be aborted by other people’s bad choices. And Heaven was responding to his intercession.
Acts 27:20: “When neither sun nor stars appeared for many days and the storm continued raging, we finally gave up all hope of being saved [NIV].”
This is a key: he was in the assignment on a vessel that was out of alignment.
HOWEVER, Paul had authority to adjust the vessel!!!!
Regardless of what he was experiencing, or what the occupants of the vessel deemed as reality, Paul prayed through! And Heaven responded!
Thankfully, he did not just lay in bed resting, thinking “well you know the Lord told me I’m going to be in Rome, so I guess I’m going to be in Rome.” No, he wrestled through it! An angel came through and said in essence, “Paul, you’re the FedEx package I’ve got to get to Caesar; I’m here to get you there.”
Acts 27:22-25: “But now I [Paul] urge you to keep up your courage, because not one of you will be lost; only the ship will be destroyed. Last night an angel of the God whose I am and whom I serve stood beside me and said, ‘Do not be afraid, Paul. You must stand trial before Caesar; and God has graciously given you the lives of all who sail with you.’ So keep up your courage, men, for I have faith in God that it will happen just as he told me [NIV].'”
Paul's assignment was that he was supposed to go to Rome. However, as a kindness God gave him all these people.
Catch the language? And can you see how it applies to you? It’s almost like because you’re here they’ll live because most likely if you weren’t aboard that ship that would have just became another little foot note in history about ships that are lost at sea when storms of this magnitude occur.
Does this make sense?
DO NOT embrace the optional role of victim. Instead remember Who God is, and Whose you are and then do business. Don't let the storm throw you off. You have an assignment to get to Rome! And Heaven will assist getting you there. Watch for the miracles in the process.
Thoughts?
AS ONE!
Lance