What’s Next?

We have all asked that question at one point or another. Perhaps you have been asking yourself that question recently about a relationship or a career move.

As I was studying the book of Acts for an online course, the author of the textbook pointed out how differently the Paul’s first and second missionary trips began.

Now, if you don’t think this is in anyway relevant to you, stick with me.

Leading up to Paul’st missionary trip, the writing on the wall was clear, so to speak. He had this crazy awesome encounter with God while on the road to Damascus (Acts 9:1-6) and eventually, he found himself praying and fasting with a few other guys after which they all felt that God was leading them on the first missionary trip together (Acts 13:1-3). So, God very specifically led Paul in the direction He desired him to go. I mean, no offense to Paul, but understanding these instructions was pretty easy.

It would be logical to assume, that perhaps, his second missionary trip started in the same fashion. I had never really studied it, so I guess that is what I would’ve said. Well, I would’ve been wrong.

In Acts 15:36, it tells us how the trip actually began.

“Some time later Paul said to Barnabas,‘Let us go back and visit the brothers in all the towns where we preached the word of the Lord and see how they are doing’”

Paul simply felt that he should followup on the churches he had planted. It was strategic. It was logical. It was simple. It was something he was doing for the benefit of the Kingdom and it was something that he uniquely could do.

To me, this is freeing.

So many times, I think we all want God to direct us by speaking to us in some supernatural, special way. And sometimes, that happens, right? But other times, it doesn’t. Yet, that doesn’t mean we should be inactive. It means we should step out in faith with right motives (a Kingdom mindset) to make a difference. And that is just it. I think that when we follow God this way, it takes more faith and more trust. It may not be easy, but we shouldn’t be afraid to move or act – especially if the step we are about to take glorifies God and meets needs.