Paul and his companions in their preaching journey came to Mysia through the region of Phrygia and Galatia (today central Turkey), having been kept by the Holy Spirit from preaching God’s word in the province of Asia. Though they tried to enter Bithynia, they were not allowed to, either. So they turned to the west and headed towards Troas located on the border between Asia and Europe.
During the night in Troas, Paul had a vision of a man of Macedonia.
“Come over to Macedonia and help us.”
As Paul made known the vision to his companions, they got on the ship at once to leave for Macedonia, concluding that God had called them to preach the gospel there.
For several days, they stayed in Philippi, the leading city of that district of Macedonia. And on the Sabbath, they went outside the city gate to the river to find a place of prayer and delivered the truth to the women who had gathered there. Among them, a woman named Lydia, a dealer in purple cloth from the city of Thyatira, carefully listened to God’s word. God opened her heart to respond to the message, and she and the members of her household were all baptized. Starting from the household of Lydia, the gospel of the new covenant began to spread throughout Europe.
When our plan is stopped unexpectedly, we become at a loss. If the same situation is repeated several times, we are apt to be frustrated and want to give up on it; we might complain first.
The apostles of the early Church had never complained in any unexpected situations or stopped preaching, but went forward as the Holy Spirit led them. Because they did so, wherever they went, they could meet the people whom God had reserved, and lead the new work of salvation. The splendid accomplishment of the gospel of the early Church was set up on the foundation of the faith that follows with thanks wherever the Spirit leads.
On the way we walk and in all things we do, there is the will of God though we do not notice it. Even though we cannot see the way clearly or things do not work out as we planned, we do not need to lose heart. Though the situation is different from our expectation, let us absolutely believe that God always leads us to blessing and just follow Him with thanks. The tougher the process is, the more glorious result we will obtain.