Go!

“Commit your way to the LORD; 

trust in Him and He will act.”

—Ps. 37:5

Have you ever been lost in the country?  Paul and his companions had one of those experiences when God’s direction didn’t seem clear.  In Acts 16, Luke writes that as Paul and his fellow travelers traveled from town to town, delivering their message, "the churches were strengthened in the faith and grew daily in numbers."  They had to be feeling it.  I'm sure they were all pumped about where they were going and what had taken place along the way.  God seemed to be blessing all they were doing.  They were on a roll.

They were moving along, I am certain trusting in the way God was leading and then we read in v. 5 that they were "kept by the Holy Spirit from preaching the Word in Asia."  I can only imagine how disappointed I would have felt not being able to go forward with what had planned and understood for some time. 

Most likely, they were a little confused, but they probably figured God had a reason.  Maybe He didn't think much would be accomplished by going there.  But, hadn't God led them in that direction?  No, their GPS must have malfunctioned, or someone wasn't listening too closely when He was giving them directions, or maybe they had just made a wrong turn.  No problem, we are back on track and headed to Bithynia.  And, it happened again.

"As they tried to enter Bithynia, the Spirit of Jesus would not allow them to."

"Why are we stopping?"  Everybody most likely turned to Paul looking for direction.  It was one thing for them not to know, but surely Paul had heard from the Lord.  This had to be an awkward moment for Paul.  I could imagine Paul was looking at his map, rubbing his chin, mumbling to himself, or was he praying?  They all waited for him to respond.  But, he didn't seem to have anything to say.  Sitting at the camel re-fueling station, Paul got off his camel and was talking to the attendant, showing him the map.  So, he was lost.

But, when Paul returned, there was no explanation as to why they had stopped and at that point, no sense of what they were to do next.  Can you imagine the campfire discussions that evening?  "Paul, where are we going?  Did we make a wrong turn?  Are you and Jesus still friends?"  Paul didn't have much to say.  That night, he slept fitfully.  And, in the middle of the night, he had a vision.  That vision ultimately led Paul and his companions to Macedonia and to Philippi, a leading city of that colony, where significant ministry took place.

Though I can't find it in Scripture, I have shared with individuals on many occasions, "God plans the stops of a good man as well as the steps.”  Sometimes, God just wants us to rest.  Sometimes, He wants us to learn to be patient and to trust.  Other times, there are things going on behind the scenes that we just don't know about, but God does and all He wants us to do is what He gives us to do until everything is ready, everything is in place, and then it will be time to act.  He will let us know when it is time to move.  For now, sit back and enjoy the scenery.

Dallas Willard, in his book on Hearing God7 suggests we are far too dependent on God, in an unhealthy way.  We seem to need him to verify every step we take, as though God stands in preparation to hit us over the head if we happen to make a mistake.

Consider the times you have felt lost or been discouraged because you didn’t feel God was there for you.  Maybe you feel that way now.  Imagine yourself taking the road in this picture and not knowing what lies ahead.  Ask God to help you trust even when it isn’t clear the direction you are to go.  Ask for the courage to risk going forward without knowing.