EASIER TO STEER A MOVING BICYCLE
Acts 16:6-10 NKJV
Now when they had gone through Phrygia and the region of Galatia, they were forbidden by the Holy Spirit to preach the word in Asia. After they had come to Mysia, they tried to go into Bithynia, but the Spirit did not permit them. So passing by Mysia, they came down to Troas. And a vision appeared to Paul in the night. A man of Macedonia stood and pleaded with him, saying, “Come over to Macedonia and help us.” Now after he had seen the vision, immediately we sought to go to Macedonia, concluding that the Lord had called us to preach the gospel to them.
This chapter starts rather interestingly. Paul and Silas take Timothy with them on their missionary journeys. But first, Paul had Timothy circumcised. You may be thinking that Paul was the chief advocate for not being circumcised, so why put Timothy through the experience? Paul was strategic. He knew he would be bringing Timothy into Jewish synagogues in the area, and it was well known that Timothy’s father was Greek, not Jewish. In effect, Paul eliminated the Jewish opposition to Timothy. We don’t ever see Paul encouraging anyone else to be circumcised.
Paul was on the move to preach the gospel. We know he was bold and courageous, and so with this aggressive mentality, Paul was going to preach in Asia. But the Holy Spirit forbids them. He was moving toward Asia and was checked by the Spirit. No details are given, but the Holy Spirit let Paul know that was not the plan.
So Paul tried to go into Bithynia, but the Spirit did not permit him. They kept going, and in Troas Paul had a vision. In the vision, a man from Macedonia was pleading with him to come to Macedonia and help them. And Paul concluded that the Lord had called them to go into Macedonia. And thus began Paul’s mission into the city of Philippi. And even though Paul encountered some serious trouble in Philippi, there was some very productive work done there.
The question begs to be asked. Why didn’t Paul just pray and get the area of Macedonia in his heart and skip trying to go into other areas? Why didn’t the Lord give Paul a vision first? I cannot speak for the Lord and His ways, but they are always right. What we see in Paul was a man on a mission to preach the gospel. A man of action who was purposed to take the gospel to the world. And it was easier to steer this kind of person. Paul was aggressive, but he was also sensitive to the Holy Spirit and totally willing to yield to the plan of God as opposed to his own plan. Aggressive, but dialed in. Willing to move, but also willing to stop. The Lord was able to get Paul where He wanted him because Paul was a man on the move who listened.
APPLICATION
Far too often, I have witnessed people stationary and unwilling to move until they know exactly what to do and where to go. The problem with that is that often I see these same people never doing very much. They are so afraid of making a mistake that they never step out and start moving. If it sounds as if I know what I am talking about, that is correct; I have been that guy.
After failing to successfully launch a church in my hometown, I returned to Texas with my tail between my legs, so to speak. Having stepped out and failed, I was bound and determined to not make that mistake again. So I made no moves to start a church, and it took my wife speaking to me very frankly for me to take that step in Conroe. The problem was that I was not moving. Paul was moving, and the Holy Spirit directed him. Make sure you are not sitting dormant and unmoved toward what you believe God has called you to do. Start moving in a direction and allow the Holy Spirit to check you or give you the green light to go. Start moving, trusting God to help you and lead you. It’s easier to steer a moving bicycle and easier for the Holy Spirit to steer a person in motion.
PRAYER
Lord, I am willing to start moving and quick to obey the leading of Your Holy Spirit in my life. Thank You. You are my Good Shepherd.