Following God's Leading

6 Paul and his companions traveled throughout the region of Phrygia and Galatia, having been kept by the Holy Spirit from preaching the word in the province of Asia. 7 When they came to the border of Mysia, they tried to enter Bithynia, but the Spirit of Jesus would not allow them to. 8 So they passed by Mysia and went down to Troas. 9 During the night Paul had a vision of a man of Macedonia standing and begging him, “Come over to Macedonia and help us.” 10 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 them. Acts 16:6-10

I was reading my Bible last night as the television played in the background. I stumbled onto Acts 16:6-10 and even though I've read it many times over the years, I felt compelled to read it again. It's a good reminder of how we may not always know the course God would have us choose, but if we step out in faith and it's not God's plan, we can rest assured that he will stop it. After reading the passage I put my Bible down and started listening to the television. Several pastors were on (including Pastor Stovall Weems from Jacksonville...he is my friend's pastor) TBN and at that moment Pastor Brian Houston was speaking about planting a Hillsong church in New York. I had to laugh when, in the course of the conversation, Acts 16:10 was mentioned. It's funny how God works like that isn't it? It's kind of a verification or confirmation that God is speaking something to you. So this had me re-reading the passage again, wondering what exactly I needed to learn from this passage. I'm thinking, "What are you trying to show me Lord?: Well, the obvious message (as I've said already) would be that we may not know where to go, but as we step out in faith, trusting God to lead us, He will direct us. In verses 6-7 we see two attempts to go in a certain direction but God stopped it. And I'd say, Yes, He did. But it was only after they acted. Sometimes we get this notion that we can't do anything until God says to do it. In all honesty, we may not hear specifically from God and this then requires a leap of faith. If you have clear direction from God to wait that's all good. But when you don't, and what you're wanting to do is a good thing, then trust that God will direct if you get off course. Take a risk.
When we get to verse 9 I thought about something that seemed to veer completely from the obvious message. Over the years I've had people tell me that God no longer speaks to people using dreams and visions. This always bothered me since I have had dreams that I felt were from God. And many times they turned out to be pretty accurate about situations going on around me. Oh, don't get me wrong, I never assume every dream is a dream from God. Many are just silly dreams. Those are usually the ones I forget quickly. But on occasion I have a dream that I can't shake. I'll go throughout my day thinking about it, unable to forget it. This always causes me to take a closer look at its message. Anyway, as I read the words, "And a vision appeared to Paul in the night" it was like a light bulb went off. This vision in the night happened after Jesus' resurrection. And there are other times mentioned in the Bible that speak about such things as being in a trance, visions, etc. So how is it that a person can say God no longer uses these means to communicate? Yes, we have the Bible to lead and direct us, and that is always a source to rely on. If we think something is of God it sure better line up with what is contained in those pages. Otherwise, we would be wise to question its validity. So my point is, seek God, seek to do His will, and He will answer. And that answer may come in ways we don't always expect.

Until next time...

~jan~