Leadership Lessons

by Mary Luti | published on Jul 5, 2023

We moved along the coast with difficulty and came to a place called Fair Havens. Much time had been lost; sailing had already become dangerous. So Paul warned, “I can see that our voyage is going to be disastrous…” But the centurion didn’t listen and followed the advice of the pilot and the ship’s owner. Since Fair Havens was unsuitable to winter in, it was decided to sail on to Phoenix, a harbor in Crete, and winter there. – Acts 27:8-12 (NIV, abridged) 

Paul is under arrest, sailing to Rome for trial. Winter’s closing in. He isn’t a professional sailor, but he is a seasoned traveler who can read signs: calamity ahead. He advises wintering over in Fair Havens, the harbor they’ve just reached “with difficulty.” But the sailing pros say no. Their decision isn’t totally about the weather. Fair Havens, it seems, isn’t all that fair. It’s Podunk. Phoenix has bars and movies, better accommodations for the crew, more fun for a long winter. So, they press on. Until the shipwreck.  

I’ve never sailed on a wintery sea, but I was a leader who sometimes didn’t listen to my people who – although not religious pros – were seasoned and faithful and knew a few things about God. I sometimes made decisions to avoid discontent and criticism. I was often anxiously determined to steer us to my own preferred destination, aiming for the perfect instead of the good, haste masquerading as purpose, ego as zeal. I was occasionally kind of stupid. And there were shipwrecks.  

All of which is to say, if you’re a leader, don’t dismiss your Pauls, don’t try to please everyone, don’t kid yourself about your motivations, and for goodness’ sake, if you don’t want to kill everybody, trust God to lead and take your time. 

Prayer
Thank you for lessons learned from shipwrecks. Help me not to cause too many more.

Mary Luti About the Author
Mary Luti is a long time seminary educator and pastor, author of Teresa of Avila’s Way and numerous articles, and founding member of The Daughters of Abraham, a national network of interfaith women’s book groups.