| Acts 16:6-7 – “And they went through the region of Phrygia and Galatia, having been forbidden by the Holy Spirit to speak the word in Asia. And when they had come up to Mysia, they attempted to go into Bithynia, but the Spirit of Jesus did not allow them.” |
We approach new years with a sense of how we want life to go.
Some make resolutions which are quickly broken, mainly because of unrealistic expectations.
But, we all have intentions on how we think life should go.
But what happens if our intentions don’t happen.
As 2015 ended, the editors of Scientific American asked readers, the “what if” question. How would life had been different if something dramatic had not happened?
One of the respondents was a woman named Fay Bee. She wrote:
What would have happened if I had ignored the subtle sensations in my collarbone and arm one afternoon at work? The ER doctors had decided that I did not fit the typical coronary disease patient: I am young, female, very fit and a vegetarian on statins. The answer is: I would have dropped dead or needed a heart transplant within 23 days because of a 98 percent blockage in my “widow maker” left anterior descending coronary artery.
Lives are altered with unforeseen circumstances.
It happened to Paul.
He had his intentions.
He and Barnabas had taken that inaugural missionary journey. It resulted in a turn of time, when the Gentiles could become God’s children without becoming Jews.
He wanted to go back.
He planned to go with Barnabas, but Barnabas threw a wrench into that plan. He wanted to take Mark with them for a second time. Paul was adamant that wasn’t his intention…now or ever. So he found another named Silas.
Then, he unrolled his map to determine where. He had great success in Asia Minor and that’s where he was going.
But God had other plans.
A single verse changed the destiny of so many, including us.
“And they went through the region of Phrygia and Galatia, having been forbidden by the Holy Spirit to speak the word in Asia. And when they had come up to Mysia, they attempted to go into Bithynia, but the Spirit of Jesus did not allow them.” (Acts 16:6–7, ESV)
God could see what Paul could not see. He saw potential in Greece which would lead to expansion into Europe where a millenium and a half later, men would sail to a new world.
This year, not all things will go as planned. You and I may feel frustrated at times. But just remember, God may have other plans for you.
- Robert G. Taylor
robertgtaylor.com
