Have you ever mapped out your life to see what it would be like? Would it be linear; i.e. everything went smoothly without any detours along the way? Or did you find twists and turns that came unexpectedly? Try telling a college graduate today that his or her career will be with one company for 40 years! We live in a volatile world today, where we don't know what the future will bring.
We as believers in Christ, who have also received the Holy Spirit, need to realize that our lives are just as volatile as we live under the guidance of the Spirit. Our lives will not be linear. We really can't make any long range plans. There will be detours along the way.
This conviction comes from reading Acts 16 and the experience of the apostle Paul and others. We read: "They went through the region of Phrygia and Galatia, having been forbidden by the Holy Spirit to speak the word in Asia. When they had come opposite Mysia, they attempted to go into Bithynia, but the Spirit of Jesus did not allow them." (Acts 16:6-7) Paul then receives a vision from a "man of Macedonia" to go into that territory to bring the word of Jesus to them.
The Spirit might close a door in our own lives, only so that another (perhaps more fruitful) activity comes our way. Might a door have been closed for your own safety and protection? Are we willing to follow the promptings of the Spirit?
Think of a door that has closed in your life? What was your reaction to it? Have you had an openness to the Spirit's leading in your life?
Tuesday, June 23, 2009
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1 comments:
You bring up an interesting point here, being led by the Holy Spirit. But I believe there is another issue to consider. Could circumstances or detours be promptings by the Holy Spirit, or could it be our own fears of growing or stretching us to a new level or situation that causes us to retreat, thereby closing our own doors? I think a lot of people mistake personal fear of a changing life occurance as guidance by the Spirit. But it may really be avoidance or a lack of courage on our part... Gratefully for us, God redeems situations in HIS time for us. Aren't we fortunate that God is with us considering all of our human frailties! What do you think, Pastor?
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