Acts 16:6-10 – Closed Doors

Read Acts 16:6-10

The Spirit prevented them from preaching in Asia. That sounds like a door closed to me. Paul had been sure Asia was the direction they were to go on this journey, but the Lord had other plans. Has that ever happened to you? Perhaps you’ve made plans to do a certain task, go a certain direction, and then you get shut down. I know how frustrating that can be until I realize God’s hand is working, and that door closed because God said so. While still disappointed, one should really sit back expectantly waiting for God to open the door he intends.

I read an interesting description of Paul–that he was prayer-saturated. Isn’t that intriguing? What does it look like to be prayer-saturated? Paul was so in tune with the Spirit due to his communication and trust. Paul was not going to chance any action outside of God’s will. How the actual door closed is not clear, but Paul was so connected to God there was no question a new plan was needed. Paul was actually turned away twice from entering Asia (the region now known as Turkey).  Why? God had other plans.

We can run into roadblocks and such in our own life and ministry. So much time is spent by churches, groups, businesses, even families, in planning for the future, setting goals and the like. We need to remember to have God in the center of those discussions and planning sessions. We need to be prayer-saturated and connected to be sure God is also on board. We set ourselves up for failure and disappointment when we run into those dead ends and closed doors.

When one door closes, we need to keep moving. That’s what Paul did. There was no hesitation. Paul was confident God would provide for them. Sure enough, Paul had a vision, and after that, he knew the direction they must go. No more closed doors in the way for them now. A “no” will always lead you closer to the “yes” you are waiting for. Paul didn’t just sit there and waste time, he kept moving while he waited for clarity. We need to do that, too. Sometimes we call that trial and error. Sometimes we call that being creative.

Are you in a season of waiting or doing? Don’t fret over the “no’s” in life. Instead, look forward to the “yes’s!”

Let’s pray. Thank you Lord for watching out for me. I want to be prayer-saturated like Paul and constantly listening for you. May our line of communication only get stronger.  Help me be creative in my ministry so that more and more people can hear your message the way they are open to hearing it. May I rejoice in every closed door knowing that you are going to open an even more glorious door when the time is right. Help me as I’m working on more patience and self-control. In Jesus’ name. Amen.