God Is Found Along The Way

Today's Reading: Job 11; Job 12; Acts 15; Acts 16

SCRIPTURE:  Acts 16:6-10

“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. When they came to the border of Mysia, they tried to enter Bithynia, but the Spirit of Jesus would not allow them to.  So they passed by Mysia and went down to Troas.  During the night Paul had a vision of a man of Macedonia standing and begging him, "Come over to Macedonia and help us."  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.”

OBSERVATION

The thing that really stands out to me about this passage is how this Supernatural God works so naturally in our lives.  Unlike Moses, Paul & his crew didn’t have a burning bush that contained the audible voice of God, or a staff that could be used as a sign and a reminder of God’s power and plan.  Instead, they found God along the way.  “Let’s try this place and see if God is here.”  “Uhhh, nope.”  “How about over here.”  Hmm, uh, nope.”  Finally, Paul has a dream about a Macedonian man calling for help, and they concluded that God had called them to Macedonia.  Wonderful things happened there, people gave their lives to the Lord, the presence of God filled a prison and shook it off its foundation, entire households were getting baptized.  Paul and his crew found God along the way.

APPLICATION:

It has been said that God can’t steer a parked car.  I know that there are some heretical theological implications to this saying but you get the point.  I think that sometimes when God shows up there are  pyrotechnics (the burning bush).  We all love miracles.  However, most of the time, I think we find God along the way.  We have to be mobile.  Moving.  Just doing something - trying something for God’s sake.  “Is God in this?”  “Is He blessing this.”  This is definitely organic, trial by error, church planting.  It’s a little messy but it finds God.  I want want to be a guy who is mobile and steerable by God.

PRAYER:

Father, thank you for directing our lives - for closing doors that we don’t fit in, or don’t fit us, or are just not right for now.  Thank you that our time trying to honor you is not wasted time, even when our efforts find closed doors.  Help me to not be discouraged by these types of circumstances, but keep moving so you can keep steering.  Help me to find you along the way.  In Jesus Name - AMEN!