Then [the tribune] called two of the centurions and said, “Get ready two hundred soldiers, with seventy horsemen and two hundred spearmen to go as far as Caesarea at the third hour of the night. 24 Also provide mounts for Paul to ride and bring him safely to Felix the governor.” 25 And he wrote a letter to this effect:
26 “Claudius Lysias, to his Excellency the governor Felix, greetings. 27 This man was seized by the Jews and was about to be killed by them when I came upon them with the soldiers and rescued him, having learned that he was a Roman citizen. 28 And desiring to know the charge for which they were accusing him, I brought him down to their council. 29 I found that he was being accused about questions of their law, but charged with nothing deserving death or imprisonment. 30 And when it was disclosed to me that there would be a plot against the man, I sent him to you at once, ordering his accusers also to state before you what they have against him.”
31 So the soldiers, according to their instructions, took Paul and brought him by night to Antipatris. 32 And on the next day they returned to the barracks, letting the horsemen go on with him. 33 When they had come to Caesarea and delivered the letter to the governor, they presented Paul also before him. 34 On reading the letter, he asked what province he was from. And when he learned that he was from Cilicia, 35 he said, “I will give you a hearing when your accusers arrive.” And he commanded him to be guarded in Herod’s praetorium.
We’ve encountered some winding roads as we’ve traveled through Glacier National Park. One road, however, that is not particularly winding is the Going to the Sun Road. There is only one switchback on the approximately 50 mile long road. It starts at about 3,150 feet in elevation at the West Glacier entrance climbing to a peak elevation of 6,646 feet at Logan’s Pass where it crosses the Continental Divide. The scenery is stunning, with overlooks, mountains, and wildlife along the way.
Paul did not have such a beautiful road to travel. Although the scenery in Israel is historic and striking, there were no paved roads or Interstate Highways in his day. And on this first leg of his journey to Rome, he knows only that he will go to Rome – not how he will get there. In fact, humanly speaking there is little reason to hold to hope that he will get there at all. Herod’s Praetorium could be his final stop. He did not know what awaited him in Caesarea. He had only the promise of Jesus that he would testify of Jesus in Rome. He would have to hold to that promise in the face of plots, protective custody, and soldiers’ escorts as far as Caesarea.
Our roads may be long and winding, but even if they’re paved, we have only the promise of Jesus of our final destination. He has promised eternal life. He has promised salvation. He has promised to wipe away every tear. He has promised to be with us wherever we go. He has promised that he has overcome the world.
It’s good to recall that our paths are known to God – especially when they are long and winding. But it’s vitally important that we remember our ultimate destination whenever our paths are beautifully scenic. For those paths can distract us from our ultimate goal. We can easily forget that the beauty of this world is but a pale reflection of the ultimate glory of the new heavens and the new earth. And however long and winding the road may be, God will certainly bring us safely to our ultimate destination.
David Bahn - Reflections 
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