Guidance

In my conversations with many about this past year, a theme that rises to the top is one of “disappointment.” Covid derailed so many expectations and continues to mess up our plans. So instead of walking along a path according to a known map, we feel lost. Are we merely drifting aimlessly in an endless ocean?

For small group this past week we studied Acts 15-16. Here we see Paul embark on his second missionary journey with Silas and Timothy. Paul had his plans. He wanted to take the gospel to Asia but for some reason, he could not. V. 6 indicates that the Holy Spirit forbade them. How disappointing! No problem, Paul set his path to Bithynia but for some reason, he could not enter. V. 7 explains that the Spirit of Jesus did not allow them. Another disappointment! However, in v. 9, Paul receives the Macedonian call in a vision. So they go to Macedonia. And in chapter 16, we find the conversions of Lydia and the Philippian jailer among others.

It is interesting how the Lord guides Paul. Why didn’t the Lord frame Paul’s initial plan with Macedonia from the onset? Or if the vision just came a bit earlier, then Paul wouldn’t have had to endure two episodes of disappointment. Why? Well, the Lord has His reasons. From a broader reading of Scripture, the Lord uses all situations, especially suffering, to refine our character in the refiner’s fire. The very moment Paul felt confused and lost in his derailed plans, the Lord was guiding him. And the Lord is always guiding us. May we be encouraged that even in this New Year fraught with so many challenges and disappointment that the Lord is guiding us. He is guiding us to love our neighbor as ourselves. He is guiding us to serve someone in need. He is guiding us to encourage another in Christ. He is guiding us to share the gospel. May we trust and follow Him not by sight but by faith.