Look Before You Leap!

Act 27:10 And said unto them, Sirs, I perceive that this voyage will be with hurt and much damage, not only of the lading and ship, but also of our lives. 11 Nevertheless the centurion believed the master and the owner of the ship, more than those things which were spoken by Paul.

Julius had an important choice to make. He could take the word of an experienced sailor, who knew the ports and the accommodations. Or, he could go with the preacher, whose instincts told him that to sail away would be dangerous at this time.

I suppose the fact that Paul was also a prisoner lent further weight to the ship owner's opinion. the Centurion had no reason to disbelieve Paul. Obviously, he had gained respect by this time. Yet, it just made sense to go with the gut of the captain.

Let's face it, we have decisions to make many times daily, most of them of little consequence. But some of our choices have huge implications. It is easy to take the road that makes sense, but we must lean on the Lord and be sensitive to His Spirit.

It may be that an investment confronts us, a can't miss proposition. Yet, the Lord speaks through a verse or the pastor's message leading you not to buy. Or, a new job opportunity arises, the money is great, the job is well matched to your skill set and it just feels right. But the Lord is not through with you where you are and His Spirit speaks to you to wait. These are those times where we have to pay attention to open or closed doors, when we have to pray and have perfect peace about the matter, when we seek godly counsel from trusted, spiritual leadership.

Look before you leap, it could mean the difference between smooth sailing and ship wreck.