Issue #192, October 19, 2016
Paul was a leader who knew when it was time to stay and when it was time to move on. But he also knew when it was time to change direction. We’ll examine how he adjusted his course in this account from his second missionary journey:
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. From Troas we put out to sea and sailed straight for Samothrace, and the next day on to Neapolis (Acts 16:6-11). Paul was eager to preach in new regions and had a plan of where he wanted to go after visiting the churches he planted on his first journey. But his plan was not the right direction and he needed to change. His story helps all servant leaders know when it’s time to continue moving but to change direction.
It’s time to change direction when doors are closed.
Twice in this account Paul encountered closed doors. First, the Spirit kept him from preaching in Asia so he turned northward and kept moving. He moved toward another province and again, the Spirit would not allow them to enter. It must have been frustrating for this visionary leader to move and then not be able to continue. We don’t know how Paul heard God’s direction but it was clear that he was moving in the wrong direction. The door was closed. This was not opposition to the message; it was clearly a closed door.
It is ironic that the Holy Spirit stopped them from preaching! Servant leaders learn that sometimes God stops them from doing something good because He has something better.
Notice Paul’s response. He did not try to force the door to open. Neither did he stop and wait for clarity. He just turned and moved in another direction. Although Paul lived before vehicles existed, he understood the principle that it is easier to steer a moving car than a parked one. Servant leaders do not sit and wait for instructions; they move in the direction which seems right and allow God to change the direction as needed. They recognize that closed doors sometimes mean new opportunities. Unless God says “wait,” keep moving and allow Him to change the course as needed.
It’s time to change direction when God reveals another direction.
Paul finally reached Troas, a coastal city far from his original plan. There he had a vision at night that revealed to him the direction God wanted him to take. We cannot know why God waited to give this call until Paul had walked many miles and spend days on the road moving in other directions. But now the direction is clear to Paul and it is obviously time to go to Macedonia. His response was simple obedience.
We can easily miss the significance of this change. Paul’s vision was to continue preaching in the region of current day Turkey. Instead, God sent him to Europe! The history of the Church was changed because Paul was a leader who understood when it was time to change direction. Most of us can likely trace our faith journey to the impact of the Gospel coming to Europe. Servant leaders quickly change direction when God reveals the way forward.
For further reflection and discussion:
- How have I responded in the past to closed doors? (Trying to get them to open, giving up, waiting, etc.) What can I learn from Paul’s life?
- Has God closed some doors in my life to redirect my plans? What can I learn from that?
- Are there current areas of my leadership that are closed doors? What may God be saying to me about these areas?
- When God reveals a new direction, am I willing to quickly obey even when it comes at great cost, as it did for Paul?