Acts - 27 Part 1, The Majority

We have all heard it, the majority rules. Webster defines this as: a political principle providing that a majority usually constituted by fifty percent plus one of an organized group will have the power to make decisions binding upon the whole.

Conventual wisdom can lead us to believe that the majority would bring better decisions and a clearer path and decision. Surly, the majority would come up with better ideas and ways, right? Well, I am not so sure. Let me first say that I value input and feedback. When it comes to decision making and strategic planning of any sort, I think it is wise to seek input and gain understanding from many perspectives. I like to do this in all areas of my life, and I want to have thoughtful people always speaking into my life, and offering guidance and input. This has served me well and helped me to make good, informed decisions. But what about majority rules, when making a big decision, or leading a team, polling the group and going with the majority? This seems to be our political system, take a vote and the majority rules, right?

Well, here in Acts 27, we get a front-row seat into a majority rules decision that was nearly catastrophic. 

“Much time had been lost, and sailing had already become dangerous because by now it was after the Day of Atonement. So Paul warned them, “Men, I can see that our voyage is going to be disastrous and bring great loss to ship and cargo, and to our own lives also.” But the centurion, instead of listening to what Paul said, followed the advice of the pilot and of the owner of the ship. Since the harbor was unsuitable to winter in, the majority decided that we should sail on, hoping to reach Phoenix and winter there. This was a harbor in Crete, facing both southwest and northwest.” - ‭‭Acts‬ ‭27:9-12‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Here in the twenty-seventh chapter of Acts, we are on Paul’s last voyage and a critical one. This is the final journey to Rome, where Paul is ordained to meet with Caesar. They had been sailing for a long time, the seasons were shifting, and it had entered a real challenging time to be at sea. A decision needed to be made, the centurion leader polled the ship, took his input, and he went with the majority, and the ship sailed on. We read here that Paul was a descending voice, Paul warned them and spoke up, and it sounded like he tried to bring a voice of reason, but he was overruled. 

Well, as you read on, and I highly recommend you dive deep into this chapter, you will see that Paul knew what he was talking about. The storm was fearsome and violent. No sun or stars for days and the storm continued to rage on.  We read later in the chapter this;

“When neither sun nor stars appeared for many days, and the storm continued raging, we finally gave up all hope of being saved.” - ‭‭Acts‬ ‭27:20‬ ‭NIV‬‬

The situation was dire, these sailers had been without food for fourteen days, and it appears that they had given up hope. This majority rule situation was looking like a majority fail. But Paul, again, stood firm and in the midst of it all modeled great leadership to us.

“After they had gone a long time without food, Paul stood up before them and said: “Men, you should have taken my advice not to sail from Crete; then you would have spared yourselves this damage and loss. But now I urge you to keep up your courage because not one of you will be lost; only the ship will be destroyed. Last night an angel of the God to whom I belong and whom I serve stood beside me and said, ‘Do not be afraid, Paul. You must stand trial before Caesar; and God has graciously given you the lives of all who sail with you.’ So keep up your courage, men, for I have faith in God that it will happen just as he told me. Nevertheless, we must run aground on some island.” - ‭‭Acts‬ ‭27:21-26‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Paul did get a little jab in, and reminded them they should have listened to him. I am not so sure I would recommend this tactic as a leader, but I do love reading these little details and seeing that even the great Apostle Paul didn’t always get it right, and lead perfectly. Paul goes on to remind the sailer again that the Lord God spoke and gave clarity and direction, and Paul is offering them hope in the midst of a hopeless situation. Paul rose up and led even though the majority had overruled him in the past. 

Here is my point, and a key takeaway as a leader reading this chapter. Input is critical and vital. We must seek perspective, insight, and wisdom from those around us. Often there are smart, technically adept, and specialists that surround us that have crucial facts, details, and information that helps inform our decisions that need to be made. But as a leader, and specifically as a Christian leader, we must take into account a key input that we can never leave out. What does God say? As a leader, I have continued to learn and grow in my ability to be a Holy Spirit lead leader that allows the Spirit to guide, Inform, and help me navigate the toughest situations. We read in this text that it was apparent that the captain, the crew members of the ship, and the majority were guiding the centurion one way, but Paul, who was guided by the Holy Spirit, stood up and offered a different option. We see that Paul was right, and the majority was wrong. As a leader, we must realize that the majority does not rule, Christ rules, and He is King! Input is important, we must take it and add it into the equitation, but leaders must step up and be willing to make the hard decisions and many times that the majority don’t understand or necessarily agree with. Follow the promptings of the Holy Spirit, draw close to God and listen for His voice, and stand up and lead.

Lord, I pray that as we all go into this day that your voice guides us. Father may we be Holy Spirit-led leaders who have great empathy, who listen to our teams and people around us, who are willing to be flexible and adapt when needed. But with all that in mind, Lord, I ask in your name that you grant us the necessary wisdom and discernment to lead well and to always make the call and decisions that are in line with your will.