Acts 16:6-12 is a travel blog by Luke of Paul’s journey with his companions through Asia Minor and across the water into Southeast Europe – six regions and four cities are mentioned. But it is more than a geography lesson – it is also a lesson on the different means God used to direct Paul’s ministry team. For example: 1) they were forbidden by the Holy Spirit to speak the word in (the sub-region of) Asia (v. 6); 2) when they were trying to go into Bithynia, the Spirit of Jesus did not permit them(v. 7); and 3) in Troas, a vision appeared to Paul in the night: a certain man of Macedonia appealed to him and said, “Come over to Macedonia and help us” (v. 9).
Two lessons for me from these verses are: #1) the major role of the Spirit of God in giving direction for ministry; and #2) the time-honored saying that: it’s easier to steer (or direct) a moving object. In every instance where Paul received direction from the Lord, he was already going somewhere to speak the word of God or was ready to preach the gospel. Am I sitting still without any initiative in the direction of God’s purposes, or am I “on the way,” trusting God to direct me to the people He has prepared for His message?