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. Acts 16:6-10 NIV
Have you ever felt compelled to convince someone to understand what you are saying or accept what you believe? That it is your job to get the message across to them, whether it be the Gospel or some other message? But what if you are not the right person for this message? What if the responsibility to convey the message belongs to someone else and not you?
Not this time
According to the Scripture focus above, Paul found himself in a similar dilemma. Paul had been called to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ and he travelled doing just that except in the province of Asia where the Holy Spirit prevented him from doing so. When another opportunity came up to visit an area within that same province, once again Paul was blocked. It doesn’t say exactly why, but through a vision, God redirected Paul to the area and people He wanted him to reach with the Gospel. Paul was not the chosen messenger of the Gospel for these people at this time for whatever reasons God had.
It may be difficult to accept that God may not choose us to reach specific people, including some family members and friends. It seems like a reasonable thing for God to use us to help our loved ones come to the knowledge and acceptance of Jesus Christ as their Savior. But sometimes that is not God’s plan. Instead He allows others to have the privilege of leading them to a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.
He knows best
Recently I had to accept this for myself. Like Paul, I had discerned with the Holy Spirit’s help that it was not my place anymore to speak to a loved one about matters regarding faith in Jesus Christ and I stopped bringing the topic up in our discussions. But this week, we found ourselves back to spiritual conversations and let’s just say it did not go well as there was confusion, hurt feelings and some new distance between the two of us. After apologies on my part were conveyed, I still had the inner urge to clarify what I was trying to say but the Holy Spirit reminded me that I am not the chosen messenger in this case. My role is to pray that God brings the right messenger who will be gifted to share in a way that meets my loved one right where they are at.
The right messenger with the right words, at the right time. For Asia, it was not Paul. Instead, he was sent to Macedonia to be that messenger to the people there. Our Sovereign and Omnipotent Father knows exactly how and when to bring the needed message via the right messenger to our loved ones. Our role is to trust Him with that agenda and refrain from making it ours.
