DOORS: Goodbook 03-12-12

Goodbook messages arrive every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday with a Scripture reading and ideas for how to apply the reading in our lives. We are reading through the book of Acts. For additional Scripture reading, you can follow the Advanced Track.

Reading: Acts 16:6-10 (Advanced Track: Psalm 73, 77-78; 1 Chronicles 6)

⁶ 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. ⁷ When they came to the border of Mysia, they tried to enter Bithynia, but the Spirit of Jesus would not allow them to. ⁸ So they passed by Mysia and went down to Troas. ⁹ During the night Paul had a vision of a man of Macedonia standing and begging him, “Come over to Macedonia and help us.” ¹⁰ 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.

Application:

We've been reading in Acts about Paul sharing the gospel (or the Good News) about Jesus in different places.  He goes from one place to another to another.  We almost get into the rhythm of his traveling ministry when it unexpectedly comes to a screeching halt.  God's Holy Spirit kept Paul from preaching the word in the province of Asia.  They tried to enter and Jesus would not let them.

We might think, "What?!?"  Why would God close that door?  Why would God stop them from preaching the Good News to people?"  These are great questions - questions that Paul likely wrestled with.  Then one night he had a vision of a man calling out to him from another area.  It clicked for Paul.  God was closing this door because God was opening another for him.  Sharing the Good News in Asia was not a bad thing; it just was not the thing God was calling Paul to do at that time.  God would lead others to do that.  God had a better idea for Paul's life and ministry at that moment.

This story has some freeing Good News.  God hasn't called us to do everything.  God created us with a plan and a purpose in mind.  Our calling is not to do everything, but to discern what God is calling us to do at this moment in our life.  Sometimes doors close in our life.  They may close unexpectedly and leave us wondering why.  Perhaps God does not want us to take that certain thing on.  Perhaps God has a better idea for our life and our ministry.  I've found that God usually has better ideas than me. :)

I chatted with a man recently who lost his job at just the time when he felt God was calling him into a new career.  He went on a medical mission trip and felt like God was calling him to give the gift of sight to others - physical and spiritual.  He went back to school and now he's an optometrist.

1) Pray about this: Where is God calling me to be and with whom is God calling me to share the Good News?     

Comment with your thoughts, questions, and ideas about how to apply this…