4 As they went on through the towns, they delivered to the people the decisions reached by the emissaries and the elders in Yerushalayim for them to observe. 5 Accordingly, the congregations were strengthened in the faith and increased in number day by day.
6 They traveled through the region of Phrygia and Galatia, because they had been prevented by the Ruach HaKodesh from speaking the message in the province of Asia. 7 When they came to the frontier of Mysia, they tried to go into Bithynia; but the Spirit of Yeshua would not let them. 8 So, after passing by Mysia, they came down to Troas.
9 There a vision appeared to Sha’ul at night. A man from Macedonia was standing and begging him, “Come over to Macedonia and help us!” 10 As soon as he had seen the vision, we lost no time getting ready to leave for Macedonia; for we concluded that God had called us to proclaim the Good News to them.
5th Week of Easter… concluding that God had called us to proclaim the Good News to them. (Acts 16:10)
Have you ever wished God would lay out your whole future in front of you? Wouldn’t it be easier making those day-to-day decisions if you knew how many more years you had to live, whether you would remain in the same job, or when your wandering child would return to the faith?
While such a wish comes from good intentions, it’s probably asking too much. After all, very few of the saints had such revelations! Like Paul, Timothy, and Luke in today’s first reading, all the saints tried to listen to the Holy Spirit one decision at a time until the next step became clear.
We don’t know exactly how the Spirit “prevented” the apostles from preaching in Asia Minor, only that they obediently turned the other way and kept praying. Then Paul had a vision that convinced him God was calling them to cross into Europe and carry the gospel there. Imagine how different our lives might be if these missionaries hadn’t paid attention to that guidance!
Think about a man walking down the street with two thousand dollars in cash in his pocket. He is running a few casual errands, and as he walks into each store, his hands go almost involuntarily to his pocket. He knows that the money is still there, but he keeps checking anyway. He wants to make sure nothing has happened to it.
In a similar way, you have a far greater treasure in your heart—the Holy Spirit. Make it a point to imitate this man by checking in with the Spirit every couple of hours. Make sure he’s still there, and make sure you’re following him. Then, whether you face a complex decision or a minor one, you’ll have the Spirit’s guidance to help you stay on the right path. You’ll even find the Spirit inspiring you with a sense of his love, his peace, and his comfort, no matter what your future holds!
“Holy Spirit, I don’t know what my future looks like. All I ask is that you fill me with your grace and guide my decisions today. Come, Spirit, and let me know that you are with me!” Amen!
Psalm 100: (0) A psalm of thanksgiving:
(1) Shout for joy to Adonai, all the earth!
2 Serve Adonai with gladness.
Enter his presence with joyful songs.
3 Be aware that Adonai is God;
it is he who made us; and we are his,
his people, the flock in his pasture.
5 For Adonai is good, his grace continues forever,
and his faithfulness lasts through all generations.
John 15:18 “If the world hates you, understand that it hated me first. 19 If you belonged to the world, the world would have loved its own. But because you do not belong to the world — on the contrary, I have picked you out of the world — therefore the world hates you. 20 Remember what I told you, ‘A slave is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted me, they will persecute you too; if they kept my word, they will keep yours too. 21 But they will do all this to you on my account, because they don’t know the One who sent me.
___________________________________
___________________________________
No comments:
Post a Comment