I’ve been reading through Acts lately and have been pretty amazed by the Apostle Paul and how He followed the Lord’s leading. I wanted to share three “calls” the God gave him (not the only three, but these stood out) and maybe we can see how God leads us, too.
Sometimes we’re called to Macedonia… Paul’s call to Macedonia was by way of a vision of a Macedonian man asking for help (Acts 16). Paul simply packed his bag and went to Macedonia – easy as that. Sometimes God will give us a vision and we need to simply take the initiative and go to the place He’s called us.
Sometimes we’re called to Jerusalem… Paul’s call to Jerusalem was much more complicated. Though we don’t see it directly, it’s clear from Acts 20 that he was “compelled by the Spirit” and “in a hurry to get to Jerusalem.” It was complicated, though, because he received several warnings from reliable people that he would face trouble in Jerusalem. Sometimes God compels us to do something that other people don’t like the sound of – and we have to choose if we’re going to follow through or back down.
Sometimes we’re called to Rome… In Acts 23 we see Paul’s call to Rome: “As you have testified in Jerusalem, so you will also testify in Rome.” I wonder if Paul ever doubted these words for the two years he was imprisoned in Caesarea! Sometimes we see the call of God but there is no natural way for us to achieve it or arrive there on our own; we must trust that He’ll bring us to the place He’s called us. (It’s notable that after the two years, the new governor was about to send Paul back to Jerusalem, but Paul appealed to Caesar – he recognized it was the right timing for him to take initiative and get on his way to Rome.)
I wonder what sort of call God is giving you?
To Macedonia – requiring a simple step of obedience?
To Jerusalem – requiring persistent confidence that He has what’s best?
To Rome – requiring a quiet patience as He opens up doors?