And when we had launched from thence, we sailed under Cyprus, because the winds were contrary. Acts 27:4
As we hiked along the banks of the brook toward the next good fishing hole, somebody noticed a shiny object moving slowly downstream. We quickly identified it as a trout, actually a dead trout. The fish drifted in the current, bumping into rocks, moving tail first and then head first and then sideways. We were not interested in a dead trout. But as we watched it, we saw another silvery flash in the brook. This time, a trout that was very much alive darted upstream, leaping a small rapids and disappearing in the upper pools of the brook. Those two fish showed us two entirely different abilities. The live trout could go wherever it wanted, upstream or down, and even hide itself along the banks and rocks of the stream. But the dead fish had no ability to do anything but drift downstream. It was like a lost sinner, unredeemed and unregenerated, capable of nothing but drifting with the tides and currents of a lost world. The live fish reminds us of the capability of a child of God to make progress even though the winds are contrary.
In our text, the Roman squadron escorting the apostle Paul had a destination in mind. But the winds were contrary. So they took a different route, sailing south of the island of Cyprus instead of taking the more convenient northern route. Just as Paul experienced, the life of every believer includes many contrary winds. But unlike the dead sinners around us who can go only where the contrary winds take them, we are able to take a different route. We are able to go against the current because we have been given a life that is not subject to the contrary winds.
The contrary winds of sinful lifestyles and destructive habits are blowing the unsaved to their doom. There is nothing that they can do about it. Sometimes Christians allow themselves to be caught up in that destructive drift, to their great sorrow. But there is no need for that to happen. Filled with the spiritual life granted to us at conversion, we can be victorious over the storms of temptation and the wiles of the devil. The Word of God will guide us by a different route.
The contrary winds will blow the unsaved along the channels of endeavour that will never satisfy. They will seek not only pleasures and fleshly thrills, but also the fulfillment of money, careers, power, and popularity. The world deems these to be worthy endeavours. But their ability to satisfy is fleeting at best. A life of such pursuits offers nothing that will make the transition from time to eternity. By following a different route, a route of service to our Lord and Saviour, we can live a rewarding and satisfying life that promises to pay dividends in eternity.
Contrary winds that destroy those without Christ are not an obstacle to the believer, who can take a different route, a better route, to a better destination. – Jim MacIntosh