Acts 27:13-26
Now when the south wind blew gently, supposing that they had obtained their purpose, they weighed anchor and sailed along Crete, close to the shore. 14 But soon a tempestuous wind, called the northeaster, struck down from the land. 15 And when the ship was caught and could not face the wind, we gave way to it and were driven along. 16 Running under the lee of a small island called Cauda, we managed with difficulty to secure the ship’s boat. 17 After hoisting it up, they used supports to undergird the ship. Then, fearing that they would run aground on the Syrtis, they lowered the gear, and thus they were driven along. 18 Since we were violently storm-tossed, they began the next day to jettison the cargo. 19 And on the third day they threw the ship’s tackle overboard with their own hands. 20 When neither sun nor stars appeared for many days, and no small tempest lay on us, all hope of our being saved was at last abandoned.
21 Since they had been without food for a long time, Paul stood up among them and said, “Men, you should have listened to me and not have set sail from Crete and incurred this injury and loss. 22 Yet now I urge you to take heart, for there will be no loss of life among you, but only of the ship. 23 For this very night there stood before me an angel of the God to whom I belong and whom I worship, 24 and he said, ‘Do not be afraid, Paul; you must stand before Caesar. And behold, God has granted you all those who sail with you.’ 25 So take heart, men, for I have faith in God that it will be exactly as I have been told. 26 But we must run aground on some island.”
I attended a conference led by Lyle Schaller, whom Christianity Today called “the dean of church consultants.” The title of the workshop, Pastor as Professional Leader, was intentional and somewhat embarrassing to me at the time (40 years ago). I told my people I was attending a workshop on pastoral leadership. He told us at the conference that he used the term professional, “because most people in your church considered you to be the professional leader.” I learned a lot in that workshop. Leaders lead. Leaders frame the question. Leaders speak first. Since that time, I’ve often said, “I want to have the first word, but not necessarily the last word.”
I am a leader. I don’t say that as a boast. I didn’t say I’m a good leader or a bad one. Truth is, we’re all leaders of one kind or another. Good, bad, confusing, dictatorial, acquiescing, or conflict-causing. But I take my role seriously. And frankly, in my current vocations, the term sometimes weighs heavily on me. I take it seriously and seek to lead faithfully, and I pray that the Lord judges me to have led faithfully.
Paul takes a decided leadership role in the face of the dire circumstances he and his shipmates are facing. The seas are dangerously destructive because of the wind and storms they encounter. It’s so bad that they have lost hope of being saved. They jettison cargo and even the ship’s tackle (which might have included the means to steer the ship. They are in grave danger.
In the face of this Paul stands tall as leader. He takes charge with a word of hope and a witness to God. He reminds them of his previous advice that, had they taken it, would have saved them from this trouble. He tells them of his angelic visitation. He points to the God he serves. He testifies to his faith in God. And he encourages them with the hope of ultimate safety, but does not varnish the truth. They will “run aground on some island.”
That’s what leaders do. They take an assessment of the current realities – brutal or blessed. They point people toward a better future. They encourage as needed with reminders of the goal and vision to which they are moving. They offer grace to those who are struggling to go along. They spend the necessary time with those who are discouraged, helping them to a place of success and prosperity. The ultimate success is in serving God’s purposes in the world, and experiencing his grace eternally. The fullness of prosperity is the abundant eternal life of the world to come.
Paul’s ability to offer hope to others demonstrates how faith can foster leadership in dire circumstances.
Is there someone who needs to hear a word of faith and encouragement? Can you point them toward God’s faithfulness and goodness? That is the best kind of faithful leadership ever.
David Bahn - Reflections 
Leave a comment