6 They went through the region of Phrygia and Galatia, having been prevented by the Holy Spirit from speaking the message in the province of Asia. 7 When they came to Mysia, they attempted to go into Bithynia, but the Spirit of Jesus did not allow them to do this, 8 so they passed through Mysia and went down to Troas. 9 A vision appeared to Paul during the night: A Macedonian man was standing there urging him, “Come over to Macedonia and help us!” 10 After Paul saw the vision, we attempted immediately to go over to Macedonia, concluding that God had called us to proclaim the good news to them.
God guided the path that dictated where Paul's journeys would go. In the same way, He does that for us, but some of the time, well most of the time for me that is, we walk down this road blindly. The Spirit opens and blocks parts of road for us to never walk down or maybe at a later time. Like He did with Paul by not allowing them to enter into Asia or Mysia, but directed them to go to Macedonia instead. We don't know where exactly life's taking us but we need faith that our journey will end in Heaven to live eternally with Christ. But I find myself questioning the road that I'm on or detouring by trying to make my own path or entering into the road blockade that He's set up. I know it's really cheesy that I'm using a lot of road analogies, but it really works for today's passage!
The world tells us that we should take control over which direction life takes us, but his passage clearly shows that we are not the masters of our lives. God is. However, that doesn't excuse us from sitting on our butts and waiting for God to work his magic. No, He guides us with the steps that we are taking. So let's take courage and have faith that He'll take us to wherever we need to go!
P.S. I'm feeling much better now and I got my voice back! Hurray! But Fred doesn't share the same sentiment...Oh, well, too bad for him. HA-HA!
*End of cheesy moment* ^-^
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3 comments:
thanks michelle for your reflection--glad to hear you are feeling better! this passage is actually a turning point in the whole course of human history. paul initially desired to go EAST into asia to preach the gospel, "but was prevented from doing so" by the Holy Spirit. instead, paul goes WEST into macedonia (modern-day greece)in response to a vision from the Holy Spirit. the christian faith thus spread all throughout the WEST through paul's ministry--through europe, into britain etc. the european faithful from various countries then sent missionaries to north america and the rest is history.
if you look at the world map today, it is undeniable that the most prosperous countries, the countries who treat their citizens most humanely and fairly are in the west. this is not to say that any are "christian" nations, but the influence of the christian faith can be seen in a much higher standard of living and a much fairer (though by no means perfect) standard of justice.
if you look at the east and the so-called "10/40 window", we can see countries with the greatest poverty, social injustices, and human rights abuses. these countries, which did not have the light of the gospel for centuries on end, lived in utter darkness, in the worship of their own "gods".
we who live in the "west" may thank the Holy Spirit that He caused paul to turn his face to the west. we enjoy the privileges of living in countries that have had a christian influence in the shaping of its values. how differently it would have all turned out if the gospel had gone "east" instead of "west"! it is our privilege and duty in these last days to make sure that the gospel is preached to every last nation in the east, that all would hear the message of salvation.
Michelle, I agree with you. We are not to be in control yet we are responsible for what God calls us to do.
I admire the way Paul, no matter how much passion and desire he had in preaching the gospel, he yielded to the guidance of the Holy Spirit. It reveals his core desire to serve the Lord more than the desire to fulfill his calling. I forget so easily where my heart should be as I serve in the church. I realized that my ultimate goal is not to serve an institution or to please a group of people but to obey the Lord through a right relationship with Him. There are times when I get frustrated or discouraged when others don’t have the same vision and desire to serve but I am so thankful for what Hannah jdsm shared while preparing for the VBS: “God calls people to work for Him not for me”.
It’s His job to call, direct and complete the lives of His people.
Praise the Lord!
yay! i'm glad you're feeling better michelle..praise God :)
I have been asking that question a lot these couple of days too.."God what do you want me to do?" These last couple of days were kind of hard.
Do I REALLY trust that God will take me wherever I need to go? I realized that...i dont. I've always had to watch out for myself and sometimes i forget that I have a Father who is there for me to lean on... I'm so glad that we have a Father in Heaven who loves us soooo much that He guides and protects us wherever (and whatever) we do. I just need to have faith, like Paul, knowing that if I just put Him before all...i'll be just fine.
It's raining a lot this morning..mmm.. i like the sound of rain. haha. sorry that was random.
have a lovely rest of the week ladies!
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