Paul exercised his Roman right to appeal his case to Ceasar. This meant that he would be given the chance to defend his case before Ceasar or one of Ceasar’s representatives. The modern-day equivalent in the USA would be a case going to the Supreme Court.
Once Paul was arrested and then he appealed to Ceasar he had little if no control. He could not choose who guarded him, when he would go to Rome, his transport to Rome, where he would stay, nor when he would eat or sleep. Plus, he was under constant Roman guard.
Paul made suggestions during his trip to Rome that was rejected. Paul knew trouble was coming if they sailed in the late fall, but could do nothing to avoid it. The ship sailed into a fearsome storm as he had said and was shipwrecked on an island.
Some believe that everything that happens in their life is solely the result of decisions they make. True, Paul had made the decisions to believe and obey Jesus on the road to Damascus, to go on mission trips, to go to Jerusalem with a charity gift, to follow the advice of the Jerusalem elders, and then to appeal to Ceasar. These choices resulted in his
being shipped wrecked.
However, one cannot conclude that the shipwreck was Paul’s fault. Nor can one say that Paul was shipwrecked solely because of all the decisions he made. Life is not that simple.
Paul’s decision interacted with other people’s decisions in ways no one could predict nor determine. Paul made decisions either based on the information he had at the time, or because he obeyed Jesus.
Paul made plans and then adjusted his plans as events unfolded. Even then often he was either in a position where he was unable to find a good decision, or events unfolded that were out of his control.
Sometimes there are so many variables that even the most intelligent person cannot determine the outcome of decisions made. Sometimes we end up in places and circumstances that we do not want to be in. Sometimes it seems that there is no way out.
However, none of this takes into account God. God is in charge, and when I submit he is in control of my life. Paul had little control over his life. Yet he submitted to God. God was watching over him and in control because Paul submitted to his control. Jesus sent an angel to him to assure and comfort him. He said, “Do not be afraid, Paul. You must stand trial before Caesar; God has graciously given you the lives of all who sail with you.”
