Today’s Reading: Acts 16
Have you ever had a time where you wanted to say something but you didn’t?
Have you ever had a time where you wanted to do something but didn’t?
Have you ever had a time where you did something that you didn’t want to do but was compelled to?
There have been many times I have wanted to do certain things, but I don’t. There have been times when I don’t want to do something, and then I am compelled to do these things. In these interactions I believe that is being in tune with the Holy Spirit.
Throughout the 16th Chapter of Acts, Paul is led by the spirit of God to act or to abstain from actions.
Paul was excited to gain a new partner in the mission, Timothy. If he had gone to his accord, he would’ve alienated some of the people he was trying to connect with. He waited for the direction of God to prepare Timothy for his mission and his journey as well.
“Paul came first to Derbe, then Lystra. He found a disciple there by the name of Timothy, son of a devout Jewish mother and Greek father. Friends in Lystra and Iconium all said what a fine young man he was. Paul wanted to recruit him for their mission, but first took him aside and circumcised him so he wouldn’t offend the Jews who lived in those parts. They all knew that his father was Greek.
Paul wanted to go in a certain direction to continue his mission, but the Spirit of God showed him a different path
“They went to Phrygia, and then on through the region of Galatia. Their plan was to turn west into Asia province, but the Holy Spirit blocked that route. So they went to Mysia and tried to go north to Bithynia, but the Spirit of Jesus wouldn’t let them go there either. “
“Proceeding on through Mysia, they went down to the seaport Troas. That night Paul had a dream: A Macedonian stood on the far shore and called across the sea, “Come over to Macedonia and help us!” The dream gave Paul his map. We went to work at once getting things ready to cross over to Macedonia. All the pieces had come together. We knew now for sure that God had called us to preach the good news to the Europeans. “
Paul being in the presence of the Holy Spirit, stops the potential for the conflict and the confusion that the slave girl could make for the overall mission. During this time, the public opinion of the Christians is sensitive and this propagation from this other spirit, could’ve made it worse for the overall mission of Christ.
“One day, on our way to the place of prayer, a slave girl ran into us. She was a psychic and, with her fortunetelling, made a lot of money for the people who owned her. She started following Paul around, calling everyone’s attention to us by yelling out, “These men are working for the Most High God. They’re laying out the road of salvation for you!” She did this for a number of days until Paul, finally fed up with her, turned and commanded the spirit that possessed her, “Out! In the name of Jesus Christ, get out of her!” And it was gone, just like that. “
Paul was led by the spirit to be silent when the crowd beat them. Paul was also led by the spirit to be still when the chains were dropped off of their feet and the doors of the jail were open. Paul by being obedient to the spirit, Paul was able to show God‘s mercy and show God’s power to the jailer and to the community in Philippi.
“Along about midnight, Paul and Silas were at prayer and singing a robust hymn to God. The other prisoners couldn’t believe their ears. Then, without warning, a huge earthquake! The jailhouse tottered, every door flew open, all the prisoners were loose. Startled from sleep, the jailer saw all the doors swinging loose on their hinges. Assuming that all the prisoners had escaped, he pulled out his sword and was about to do himself in, figuring he was as good as dead anyway, when Paul stopped him: “Don’t do that! We’re all still here! Nobody’s run away!””
Acts 16:1-3, 6-10, 16-18, 25-28 MSG
Over the course of this portion of Paul’s journey, Paul allows the spirit to lead him and guide him. He was allowing the spirit to direct him to speak or not to speak. Paul is allowing the spirit to allow him to move or not move. Paul was at the Surrendered authority to the Holy Spirit.
As we are in the presence of God and as we connect with him, our goal is to be more like Paul. Our goal is to surrender our actions to the Will of God. In my journey, I have allowed my spirit to go to the Will of God sometimes. I am still actively in this journey to be more like Christ. I am actively asking God to allow me to surrender to him more. I am trying to be more vulnerable to the spirit less acting on my wants and needs.
As we enter into this Lenten season, how can we allow ourselves to be more in the presence of God to allow him to use us for his glory and for his kingdom.
Lynden McGriff