In reading Acts 16 (Acts is a book of the Bible that is packed with great wisdom and insight), we see a series of events that take place that leads Paul to understand that God was directing the course before him to Macedonia—this particular story teaches us a great deal about how God guides our lives. God's will about many matters is spelled out clearly in the Bible, but there are also many things for which the Bible gives us no black-and-white answers.
Paul and those following along with him faced this kind of situation as they attempted to go forward in their ministry. The Bible does not spell out for us where to work, to carry the gospel, or to settle down. The Bible provides us with all the criteria for making wise decisions, but the actual choosing is left to us.
How will we know that today's choice will turn out well tomorrow?
We can't, which is why we are fearful of having to choose, and the anxiety about it all can ultimately steal our joy. However, we have nothing to fear, because as God calls us to make choices and often puts us into situations that require us to do so, He never leaves us to ourselves.
God watches over our steps, and He is doing so even when—especially when—the way before us is unclear.
Paul and his followers wanted to go to Bithynia, but God intervened in their plans: "They attempted to go into Bithynia, but the Spirit of Jesus did not allow them" (Acts 16:7).
Discerning God's will in many areas of our lives require us to think.
As we see, Paul and the others weighed a number of factors, and they took into account the work of the Holy Spirit in forbidding them to preach in Asia and enter into Bithynia. Then alongside their understanding of the Spirit's leading, they set Paul's vision about the need in Macedonia. Based on all these factors together, Paul and his followers determined what God was leading them to do.
Guidance in our lives is always a matter of wisdom more than just a mere feeling. Thus, when we believe the Holy Spirit is leading us to follow a particular course, we are wise to check our understanding against the Bible and the counsel of other trustworthy believers. The Bible is clear that God has promised to guide us and He is a guiding God, which will direct us as we move forward wisely in every area of our lives.
A vision appeared to Paul in the night: a man of Macedonia was standing there, urging him and saying, 'Come over to Macedonia and help us.' And when Paul had seen the vision, immediately we sought to go on into Macedonia, concluding that God had called us to preach the gospel to them.
Acts 16:9–12
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