Obstacles
Sometimes it is hard to discern what God has in mind for us.
They went through the region of Phrygia and Galatia, having been forbidden by the Holy Spirit to speak the word in Asia. When they had come opposite Mysia, they attempted to go into Bithynia, but the Spirit of Jesus did not allow them; so, passing by Mysia, they went down to Troas. During the night Paul had a vision: there stood a man of Macedonia pleading with him and saying, “Come over to Macedonia and help us.” When he had seen the vision, we immediately tried to cross over to Macedonia, being convinced that God had called us to proclaim the good news to them. We set sail from Troas and took a straight course to Samothrace, the following day to Neapolis, and from there to Philippi, which is a leading city of the district of Macedonia and a Roman colony. We remained in this city for some days. On the sabbath day we went outside the gate by the river, where we supposed there was a place of prayer; and we sat down and spoke to the women who had gathered there. A certain woman named Lydia, a worshiper of God, was listening to us; she was from the city of Thyatira and a dealer in purple cloth. The Lord opened her heart to listen eagerly to what was said by Paul. When she and her household were baptized, she urged us, saying, “If you have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come and stay at my home.” And she prevailed upon us. - Acts 16:6-15
In today's reading from the Acts of the Apostles, we learn that the Holy Spirit has a plan for us that doesn't always make sense to us.
Why would the apostles be urged to stay away from Asia and instead be convinced in a vision to go to Macedonia in southern Europe?
Maybe they would have encountered trouble in Asia. Or maybe the Spirit wanted them to meet up with Lydia, the wealthy merchant in fine linens who could help them with their mission.
Sometimes God throws obstacles in our path, not to slow us down or cause us to stumble, but to guide us to a different path, one that is better for us or for His purpose for us.
The Word will eventually get to Asia, and it will flourish, but for now, the mission is best served by meeting up with funding.
Lydia becomes a major supporter.
The more we trust in God, the more support He sends our way, until we cease to doubt and totally believe that His plan will succeed, despite all odds.
When we trust God, we become instruments of His purpose, even though He makes it look like He is working for us. In fact, that is how His help comes, just when we need it most.
So, like the apostles, we should have faith, and follow the path the Spirit leads us to, for we never know what lies ahead.
More to come...