During the night Paul had a vision of a man of Macedonia standing and begging him, “Come over to Macedonia and help us.” After Paul had seen the vision, we got ready at once to leave for Macedonia, concluding that God had called us to preach the gospel to him.
Acts 16:9-10
As I opened my Bible this morning the heading, “Paul’s Vision of the Man of Macedonia” leaped off the page. Paul while on his journeys was very attentive to follow the guidance of the Holy Spirit. As I read through Paul’s experience in Acts 16, certain parts moved my heart. Phrases such as “having been kept by the Holy Spirit from preaching the word in the province of Asia” and “but the Spirit of Jesus would not allow them” stuck with me. There were roadblocks for Paul as he was seeking to do God’s will. Ultimately we read that as Paul was sleeping, he had a vision of a man begging him to come and help in Macedonia which led to Paul altering his path.
My heart was moved as I reflect on open and closed doors in my own life and visions that hold a calling greater than I could possibly create on my own. There have been times where what I perceived to be a good door is slammed shut and opportunities that seemed Divine in nature were fruitless. Frustration and uncertainties have crept in as I try to move as the Holy Spirit guides. I’m sure Paul was wondering why he was not allowed to share the gospel in certain places and at certain times. It would seem like a good thing. And yet, there was a vision, a calling, to go to a different place and Paul in his obedience, moved forward.
Paul had a vision and adjusted his path to move into a destiny probably with unknowns and questions, yet nevertheless, he moved forward. There are times in all our lives where doors seem to shut all around and frustration can set in. Yet, if we keep our ear attentive to the Holy Spirit, His guidance will direct and move us to walk in alignment with His purposes and plans He set before us. We don’t always see the big picture or understand the reasoning to certain things. Yet just as Paul was attentive to the guidance of the Holy Spirit, may it be said of us as well as that we adjust our pathway according to God’s leading.
May we live out Isaiah 30:21, “Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, ‘This is the way; walk in it.'”
Rooted in Him,
