Anchored in the storm
- Grace Church
- Jan 19
- 2 min read
From Pastor Bill's Message "The Trip of a Lifetime" January 18, 2026
We often think of the trip of a lifetime as a luxury vacation, but for the Apostle Paul, it was a journey marked by chains, shipwrecks, and a 26-year wait for a promise to be fulfilled. In Acts 27, we see Paul finally departing for Rome. His journey begins with smooth sailing—the sun is shining, the winds are favorable, and the destination seems certain.
However, as many of us know from personal experience, the weather of life changes quickly. The smooth sailing of 2026 can rapidly turn into contrary winds and difficult days where progress feels painfully slow. It is in these moments that we are most tempted to rely on human wisdom.
When the ship reached a place called Fair Havens, Paul issued a warning: "Don't go". He perceived disaster ahead. Yet, the centurion in charge was more persuaded by the "experts"—the captain and the owner—and by the majority vote of the crew who didn't want to spend a boring winter in a small town. They preferred the idea of Phoenix—a place of comfort and entertainment—over the safety of God's counsel.
How often do we ignore a nudge from the Holy Spirit because the south wind is blowing softly and everything looks perfect? The crew of Paul's ship assumed that because things were easy at the moment, they had obtained their desire. But not long after, a "Northeaster" tempest arose, and they lost all control of the ship.
The lesson for us is clear: God’s timing and God’s warnings are for our protection. When the storm hits and life is turned upside down, your bank account, your experts, and your majority opinion cannot save you. You need an anchor. Hebrews 6:19 tells us we have an anchor for the soul that is sure and steadfast: Jesus Christ. He is the only one who can winch us through the storm and bring us safely to the other side. If you are facing a storm today, don't look to the wind; look to the Anchor.
