Before you change the course of your life, be careful to rightly discern the direction the relational and spiritual winds are blowing. Some of the first indicators of a positive way forward might not be telling you the whole truth.

Paul was being transported as a prisoner aboard ship to Rome to stand trial before Caesar. The sailing was slow, so the captain and crew became impatient. When a light wind began to blow, they decided to make a run for a favorable harbor. Winter was approaching. It was not a wise decision.

Paul warned the crew with prophetic insight that if they continued on the current heading, there would be danger and shipwreck ahead. Paul’s warning was ignored. 

“When a light wind began blowing from the south, the sailors thought they could make it. So, they pulled up anchor and sailed close to the shore of Crete. But the weather changed abruptly, and a wind of typhoon strength (called a “northeaster”) burst across the island and blew us out to sea. The sailors couldn’t turn the ship into the wind, so they gave up and let it run before the gale” (Acts 27:13-15).

The ship entered a severe storm. The cargo was thrown overboard in an attempt to keep the ship intact. Eventually, they ran aground, and the ship broke apart on the island of Malta. In the disaster, Paul would become the spiritual captain of the ship, and all 276 aboard survived.

“The sailors thought they could make it” is a spiritually dangerous mindset. Beware of the undiscerned light winds blowing into your life, asking you to go against the instructions of the Lord. Every season of life has a safe heading given by God. Stay on that heading even if you seem to be delayed. These light winds offer a false and foolish invitation asking us to can follow their attractive lure. Every deceptive light wind will lead us into a personal life-storm where we will encounter things God did not want us to experience on our journey. Trust the last known heading provided by the Lord. It will keep you safe and out of danger.