“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.16.9
Walking in God’s will is one of the most beautiful experiences any Christian can have. The benefits are endless, and the joy of pleasing God is more than enough. But is the journey always a smooth one?
If you study the opening scripture, you will think that since “God had called Paul and Silas to preach the gospel to the people of Macedonia”, everything would go smoothly. But the contrary was the case when they arrived; they had to endure humiliation and embarrassment. “And the multitude rose up together against them: and the magistrates rent off their clothes, and commanded to beat them. And when they had laid many stripes upon them, they cast them into prison, charging the jailor to keep them safely.” Acts.16.22-23
What do we learn from this? First, that the Holy Spirit has quickened you for a particular journey is no guarantee that the journey will be “smooth”. There might still be opposition or even “failure”. Even Jesus has told us that we shall find tribulations in the world, but we are to be at peace, for He has overcome them (John 16:33).
God will be present through every minute of a journey He has led you on. Following Jesus means you automatically make a covenant of Help. For every turn in the journey, because you are walking hand in hand with God, you will always emerge as a victor no matter how rough things become. “And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises unto God: and the prisoners heard them. And suddenly there was a great earthquake so that the foundations of the prison were shaken: and immediately all the doors were opened, and every one’s bands were loosed.” Acts 16.25-26. In fulfilling God’s will, you will always have a reservoir of grace, mercy, favour and strength.
Sometimes, setbacks happen because we have to go through a learning process to fit into what is already perfect in God’s eyes. Take a marriage sealed by God, for example; it is not made perfect simply because God asked you to take that step; it is made perfect as you begin to study your partner and realise the weaknesses you should correct in yourself.
In other cases, a journey might be challenging because you still need to grow in certain things, like obtaining knowledge or letting patience have its perfect work in you. Besides, that a path has the least resistance does not mean that that is where God dwell. Don’t assume. Always ask God where He is and what He means for you to do.
Whatever the case, if God has led you down a path, ensure your ears are open for subsequent instructions, lean heavily on His strength, like Paul and Silas did, and pray and praise Him continually. I assure you that you will see the glory of God because God Himself is backing you.
Prayer
Dear Lord, thank you for your provision of help on this Journey. Please help me to stay where you have placed me and not run from your process. Please give me the grace to understand what is needed of me at every point in the process you are taking me through. Thank you, Lord, for the victories you’ve already written in my story. In Jesus’ name, I have prayed. Amen.
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Have a blessed day!
