LIFE SCRIPTS

1 After we had torn ourselves away from them, we put out to sea and sailed straight to Kos. The next day we went to Rhodes and from there to Patara. 2 We found a ship crossing over to Phoenicia, went on board and set sail. 3 After sighting Cyprus and passing to the south of it, we sailed on to Syria. We landed at Tyre, where our ship was to unload its cargo. 4 We sought out the disciples there and stayed with them seven days. Through the Spirit they urged Paul not to go on to Jerusalem. 5 When it was time to leave, we left and continued on our way. All of them, including wives and children, accompanied us out of the city, and there on the beach we knelt to pray. 6 After saying goodbye to each other, we went aboard the ship, and they returned home.
Acts 21:1‭-‬6 NIV

https://bible.com/bible/111/act.21.1-6.NIV

Paul’s movement was not aimless. He targeted Jerusalem. So he boarded this ship and connected with another vessel…he deliberately made his way towards his desired destination against all odds. Something striking is that when he landed at the coasts of Tyre (in modern day Lebanon), he sought after disciples there. There is something unique about connecting with a local body of Christ. Work has many times taken me to strange places. But one thing that I appreciate is connecting with likeminded believers. This might mean identifying a bible believing church to go to, a Bible study group or just a fellowship of people who’ve something in common. Joining together with others especially in a strange land brings accountability in our faith. But the believers who fellowshiped with Paul had a message. The Holy Spirit communicated a risk awaiting him in Jerusalem through them. They pleaded with him not to go ahead with his journey. However, Paul was determined and he pushed on. We even see the concern the people had while escorting him. They came with their families and kids. Perhaps Paul needed to heed to there call. Perhaps God still had some assignment for him and was warning him against going to Jerusalem. But don’t we also ignore the call of the Spirit at times? The Spirit of God at times speaks to us through people. Have you ever had a hunch, thought or feeling about something only for another person to confirm it? God could use His people to divert us from unnecessary trouble. Perhaps Paul had become accustomed to trouble that he chose to wish Jerusalem away. But he was about to be arrested in Jerusalem. He would no longer be a free man after this episode.