The Holy Spirit’s Guidance

Did you know that I used to have a couple of friends that were on the mission field?  I used to want to be on the mission field as well.   I sometimes wonder what leads people to a certain area to minister in and today’s lesson speaks to that.  It’s all got to do with the Holy Spirit’s guidance. 

The Holy Spirit’s Guidance

The Holy Spirit’s guidance is what I see going on in this passage.  Paul et al, had their own plans, but weren’t able to do them.  The Holy Spirit nixed their plans to go into Asia, and stymied their goal of heading into Bithynia.  So it’s a case of.. now what?

The now what turned into a vision where a Macedonian man was saying “Come over to Macedonia and help us.”  I’d call that an invitation to go to Macedonia just like Paul and his companions did!

And yes I know!   I do.  I know that not everyone gets a vision making their direction clear.  But what this passage does show is GOD AT WORK.  It shows us how clearly the Holy Spirit guides his people.   This shouldn’t be a shock should it?  

We find throughout scripture that God helps his people.  The Holy Spirit is part of the Godhead, so helping us is part of what he does.  

In Galatians 5 we learn more about walking with the Spirit.  ^“If we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit.”  The Spirit helps us to know what we should or shouldn’t do, but we need to do our part too right?  We need to purpose to do the things he wants of us you know? 

Application

So I’m trying to think here because I want to see this well in my life.  And I do I think.  Like the other day when I wanted to change the price tag on a coat and didn’t.  That was the Holy Spirit’s prompting.  But it’s just a little thing you know?  Well.. okay, perhaps not little, but more like ordinary… part of me having to remember whose I am you know?  

But sometimes I wonder would I be able to tell for sure about something big.  Like an really big decision.  Would I need a vision like Paul did? Would I just have a deep heart knowledge of rightness?  It’s probably just me stressing over nothing since the Lord is gracious to me all my life.  Always making his presence known when I so need him to make himself known.  He let his people know right?  Through one way or the other… whether it a closing firmly of the door (like when Paul knew not to go to Asia), or through a vision (going to Macedonia), or just a deep heart knowledge that this is the right thing to do.  

God, moves in us through the Holy Spirit, guiding us to be the people as like him as we can be.  Rather cool eh?  At least I think so.  🙂