When It's Time to Pivot

We walked through Acts 16:1-15 this Sunday. Paul’s second missionary journey. The moment when Plan A fell apart and God had something better in mind.

Three points came out of the passage. First, when others give up on you, don’t give up on the mission. Paul lost Barnabas and John Mark, but God provided Silas and Timothy. The mission stayed the same: strengthen the churches and make disciples.

Second, when a door closes, don’t bust it down. The Holy Spirit actually forbade Paul from preaching in Asia. Instead of forcing it, Paul kept moving and kept listening. A vision of a man in Macedonia redirected him over 800 miles from home base. The Greek word pistis means conviction and trust. Asking in faith means trusting God will direct your steps.

Third, closed doors make way for bigger opportunities. If Paul had never gone to Macedonia, we wouldn’t have Philippians, Thessalonians, or Corinthians. And the door to Asia reopened later. Even Paul and John Mark were reconciled.

Something to sit with this week:

Is there a closed door in your life that might be God redirecting you toward something bigger?