Acts 16:6-7
"Now when they had gone through Phrygia and the region of Galatia, they were forbidden by the Holy Spirit to preach the word in Asia. After they had come to Mysia, they tried to go into Bithynia, But the Spirit did not permit them."
Every Christian claims to believe that the Spirit opens and closes the doors of opportunity in their lives. But for most us, we don't experience this in such as direct way as the Apostle Paul. Whereas Paul had in mind certain destinations for his missionary journeys, the Spirit closed these doors.
Typical of the way God leads us in a journey of faith, Paul wasn't told by the Spirit as to why his plans were denied. Paul probably couldn't understand why the Spirit would deny him the opportunity to bring the gospel to parts of Asia. But God had other plans, and since he desires that all come to salvation, the Spirit's direction for Paul to preach elsewhere couldn't have meant God was denying the gospel to Asia. It just wouldn't come through Paul's preaching nor to these people at this particular time.
Most of the time, we're not in the habit of listening for the Spirit to forbid us from doing what we've judged to be for the good. While we most often associate the Spirit's conviction with keeping us from sin, he is equally about the business of directing our other endeavors. Sometimes, this means God forbids us from pursuing a course of action that seems for the best.
While God often gives us the option of choosing between good choices, he also may choose to shut the door on one of these choices, even the one we see as the best. He does this to shape our lives or those of other peoples. We just need to be willing to go where he directs.
One day, the Lord will have us leave our home in Germany. When that time comes, I'm sure my heart will resist, but as a believer, I need to be prepared to follow the Spirit's direction, even when it comes at some cost to my own desires.
The key here is to allow the Spirit to in control, determining the best course of action for my life. Sometimes, this will be by forbidding me from doing something I think would be good to do.
LORD JESUS
Lord, I ask you for clear leading in my life. May I learn not to make decisions based on the best, but to make decisions based on your will. May your Spirit make your will clear to me and to your church Amen.
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