Read: Acts 16:6-10
And a vision appeared to Paul in the night: a man of Macedonia was standing there, urging him and saying, “Come over to Macedonia and help us.” (v. 9)
All of us have times when we don’t know what to do—times of uncertainty when future plans seem fuzzy or unclear. Maybe that is where you are right now—uncertain about a job or what school to attend. Perhaps it has to do with who you marry.
You are not alone. Even Paul had times when he was unsure of God’s will. He felt prevented by the Holy Spirit from going to Asia, and when he tried to go to Bithynia, again the Spirit of Jesus did not allow him to do so.
The lesson for us here is that the plans we make do not always coincide with the plans of Gd. We may have good intentions, but God’s way is always the best way. What is of utmost importance is to listen and discern carefully what God would have us do.
Paul’s discernment of the call to Macedonia came in a vision at night. It could come that way for you too, or perhaps while you are reading the Scriptures or at a time of prayer. The important thing is to be open to what God may be saying to you or prompting you to do. God is no less in the business of guiding us spiritually now than he was with Paul. —John Koedyker
As you pray, ask God to guide you clearly into that which he wants you to do.
About the Author
Rev. John Koedyker has been a pastor in the Reformed Church in America for more than forty years. His ministry began in Japan where he served as a missionary for ten years. After that he has served churches in Iowa and Michigan. He has served as the Stated Clerk of Muskegon Classis, RCA, for the past sixteen years and also presently serves as pastor of congregational care at First Reformed Church of Grand Haven, Michigan. John has written a number of times previously for Words of Hope and he has a bi-monthly religion column in the Grand Haven Tribune. He is married to Marilyn, and they have four grown children and seven grandchildren.
