During the night Paul had a vision: there stood a man of Macedonia pleading with him and saying, “Come over to Macedonia and help us.” When he had seen the vision, we immediately tried to cross over to Macedonia…” vss. 9-10a
Acts 16:9-12
As Paul traveled through what we know as western Turkey he stopped in the cities where Jews had settled, preached there, and brought the latest news from Jerusalem. Because he did not feel the direction of the Holy Spirit, he avoided some regions and passed by some of the cities. But when he came to Troas, in the area of ancient Troy, during the night he had a vision. A man of Macedonia was pleading with him to come there and help. And that was enough for Paul. He left with his friends in the morning. There were no Jewish communities there, and he had no invitation, but he was convinced that he had to go. We talk a great deal about waiting for the direction of the Holy Spirit in pursuing a call or a new position, but it’s enormously difficult to discern the difference between our own desires and the voice of the Spirit. Too often when we say the Spirit is directing us, we’re really doing what we want and then cloaking it with religious verbiage. Paul had no doubts, and he followed his vision, and the gospel was received with joy in Macedonia. It’s beautiful when the voice we hear is that of the Spirit and not our own! That’s how the world is transformed!
Thought for the Day: How do I know when I’m being Spirit-led?
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