When I was younger I used to love reading books about leading from the margins. I didn’t hold any position in any organization or church but I knew in my heart that the Lord had called me to be a person of influence for the good of the church that I was a part of. At the time, that looked like building many relationships and encouraging people. I had no say or decision-making power, but regardless the Lord opened opportunities and I was able to influence.

Nothing screams more leading when you’re not in charge other than our chapters today. It starts off with Paul being a prisoner being escorted to Rome to face Caesar, but along the way, there seems to be an incredible shift. Paul is the one that tells the sailors that they will be shipwrecked, he is the one that feeds them, encourages them, and even gives them direction in times of crisis. When they are on the island, this prisoner called Paul is even believed to be a god. The funny thing is, the trip to Rome took a long time, but along the way, Paul was staying with other believers for long periods of time and encouraged them. All I can say is that Paul as a prisoner does not seem too imprisoned. Our readings end with Paul being allowed to live in his own rented house for two whole years. How is that for leading when you’re not in charge?

What I love about this story is that any one of us would see Paul’s imprisonment as a negative thing, but it was through this imprisonment that God used the Roman soldiers to escort Paul around the known world to proclaim the good news. Your circumstances do not have to define you or dictate your attitude. In fact, with a small change in perspective, you could be sitting in an incredible opportunity. That is why regardless of times of crisis, covid, someone passing away, or situations that at first glance are not positive, the Lord will still move and stir people’s hearts in His direction.

I believe that as followers of Jesus, we are called to be like Paul in the midst of shipwrecks. To be a carrier of the message of hope. To influence regardless of what position or lack thereof we have. To always point to one name: Jesus Christ.