Looking at these verses, you might wonder why they are included in Holy Scripture, as it appears to be only an account of island-hopping by ship along, what is now, the west coast of Turkey. Luke who is recording the events, was there; his detailed description adds to the authenticity of the whole narrative. It also has a sense of urgency because Paul was keen to get to Jerusalem by Pentecost – the greatest international gathering of national and displaced Jews, who Paul longed to evangelise.

Pentecost came just after the beginning of the Mediterranean shipping season. It was spring time and most of the winter storms had subsided. Even so, navigating around the rocky shoreline from Troas to Miletus (via Assos, Mitylene, Chios and Samos) needed great care and should not be attempted at night (click here for a helpful map). So the journey was divided into short daytime stages, not necessarily on the same boat, with the risk of weather delays at each port.

Paul had spent longer in Troas than expected (Acts 20:6). Although most of the team went by boat to Assos, it was quicker for Paul to travel overland to join them there rather than waiting for the next boat from Troas. Later they chose a boat which did not stop at Ephesus because the church would expect them to spend several days there renewing friendship and receiving teaching. Instead they asked the Ephesian elders to travel overland to meet them at Miletus.

Why all this detail? The urgency of getting to Jerusalem for Pentecost was uppermost in their minds. But Paul's evangelistic ambition for the Jerusalem visit was never realised in the way he may have anticipated. He was arrested after a week in the city - beginning a long series of public and court appearances in which he proclaimed the gospel to the leaders of Israel, and eventually before Caesar. The urgency was God's. Paul's timing was right but the reason for being in Jerusalem was God's. Do not ignore the Lord's nudges of urgency. You may not know where it is all leading to - but be obedient to what you know of God's call, when His call is urgent. Then He will lead You to His destination for His purpose and His glory. You do not have to know the end from the beginning: only the Lord knows that. Keep in step with the Spirit (Galatians 5:25).