Opening the Right Doors

Week 30

When we become followers of Christ, Jesus sends his Holy Spirit to live in us and guide us. Listening to the Holy Spirit isn’t always easy. Knowing what God wants us to do is sometimes confusing, but one thing is certain. If we are doing our best to be obedient and we are asking God for guidance, he will use whatever we do to help us get where he wants us to be.

We have Paul’s teaching as an example for us. Paul knew that God had called him to preach to the gentiles. He knew that his mission involved going to other countries and spreading the gospel message. That was made very clear to him. In Acts 13:47 Paul explains to the Jews in Pisidian Antioch what God has commanded him. He quoted from Isaiah 49:6, “I have made you a light for the Gentiles, that you may bring salvation to the ends of the earth.” This was what God had asked him to do. 

God has a purpose and a plan for our lives also. Maybe we will become missionaries, maybe we are being asked to preach from a pulpit, maybe we are supposed to let our lights shine in the place where we work. But there is a purpose for each one of us.

How do we know what God’s purpose is for our lives. We have to read his word and invite his spirit to speak to us through the word. Many times God will speak something quietly into your heart as you read and meditate on his word. Years ago as I was reading a devotional magazine I heard the Lord very clearly tell me to write to my mother-in-law and share my faith with her. She knows that I am a Christian, but I had never in all the 30 plus years I have known her, been able to share my faith in Christ. I don’t know why it was important right now, but I know if the Lord asks me to do something like this, I am better off just doing it right away because he won’t let me forget about it until I do. 

I wrote my mother-in-law a letter and shared the basics of Christianity with her. I explained what Christ did for everyone and told her about heaven and eternal life. I used a language that she would understand and didn’t get theological with her, but gave the message to her in a way that I hope she understood. 

I don’t know why it was important that I did this at that particular time, but I wanted to be an obedient child and did what God asked me to do. (Side note - my mother-in-law has died since I wrote this devotional and I am confident that my sharing the good news with her may have brought her some peace as she faced her death.)

What does this obedience have to do with opening the right doors? For me, to be obedient means that I have come before the Lord with my concerns and that daily I ask for his help. My prayers are usually pretty simple ones. Example:

Father, I give myself to you today and ask that you use me anyway that you need me. May you be glorified in me today. Amen.

There are many times that we have options. The way that God wants  for us isn’t clearly marked. Paul encountered a dilema like this in 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.

Paul was doing what he knew to do. He knew he was supposed to preach the gospel to the world and evidently tried to go to Asia, but was kept from preaching the word there. We don’t know exactly how he was kept from preaching there, but it wasn’t part of God’s plan.

Paul also tried to enter Bithynia and the word tells us that the Spirit of Jesus would not allow them to enter. He tried several avenues not being exactly sure where God wanted him to go next. 

When God saw that Paul was unsure where to go, he directed him in a vision. The word says that during the night Paul had a vision of a man of Macedonia. Does God still give us visions for direction? I believe that he does. Has he given you a vision of what he wants you to do? We have to note that God didn’t give Paul all the details in his vision, but he pointed him in the right direction. Paul finally knew his next destination. God directed him to the right door.

How can we apply this to our lives today? What can God say to us today to guide us? If we are at a point where we have a choice to make we shouldn’t make the choice using our own understanding. In Proverbs 3:5-6 the word tells us to Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight. 

(This was written several years ago) Currently my husband, Don, and I are in a position that seems to require us to make a decision. We know that we are being called into the ministry, however, doors of opportunity have not been opened yet. Don is in a job that he would like to leave, lately he has become completely dissatisfied and disheartened with his job. He had a choice to call a former employer and try to get a job with better benefits and a retirement plan. It looked like this was going to be the way to go. 

We have been praying that whatever God wants for us would come to be and we keep hoping that he will give us a church. But for whatever reason, this hasn’t happened yet. The job with the former employer isn’t going to open up either. So it seems that we are to be content with our present circumstances. The door of opportunity seems to be closed in our faces, but...we serve a good God and we know he is always right on time. So, as the apostle Paul said, we are going to be content whatever our circumstances. (Side note: The Lord did open a door for ministry and for 4 years Don has been a licensed local pastor for a small congregation. He remains in his job, but the company has given him opportunities to be an instructor which suits him much better.)

What does God do when it seems that the way is blocked? What did he do for Paul? It is amazing, if you read the scripture again you may catch it.

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.

Did you notice? The book of Acts was written by Luke. If you really listen you’ll hear. When they came to the border of Mysia... After the vision, we got ready at once. Luke joined Paul on his journey at Troas. If Paul hadn’t stopped there, he may not have met Luke. Notice that when they leave Troas Luke includes himself in the narrative. He no longer talks about they but instead refers to them as we.

Just maybe God has a bigger plan than you or I could ever imagine for having us stop at a different place than we expected. Maybe, just maybe, God wants to bless us in a particular way or maybe the time just isn’t right for us to move on. We are supposed to trust in him and seek his direction. We can do what we know to do, but we can ask him to close doors that lead us the wrong way. We can ask him to make clear his plans for us and if they don’t seem clear, maybe we should just wait. God also instructs us; “Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord.” Psalm 27:14

Heavenly God,

You are the one who has a plan for each one of us. We praise you and thank you for preparing work for us to do for your kingdom. We call upon you right now to direct us where you want us to go. We ask that you block paths you do not want us to go down. We ask that you open doors you want us to enter and close doors that are not in your will. We ask that you teach us how to wait for your timing, help us not to run ahead of you. Restrain us when necessary and help us to be strong and take heart and wait upon you. In the name of Jesus, who always acted in your time and not his own. Amen