THURSDAY, MARCH 31
That night Paul had a vision: A man from Macedonia in northern Greece was standing there, pleading with him, “Come over to Macedonia and help us!”
Acts 16:8 (CSB)
ROADBLOCKS AND DETOURS: HE IS DIRECTING ME TO A DIFFERENT DOOR
Italian violinist Niccolo Paganini (1782-1840) was playing a difficult piece of music before a large audience. Suddenly, one string on his violin snapped, yet he continued to play, improvising beautifully. Then two more strings broke, and he completed the composition playing with only one string. When the applause eventually stopped, he nodded at the conductor to begin the encore. The violinist smiled at the audience and shouted, “Paganini … and one string!” Placing his instrument under his chin, he played again with that one string. (Joanie Yoder)
With that in mind, Charles Swindoll writes, “The longer I live, the more convinced I become that life is 10 percent what happens to us and 90 percent how we respond to it.” Paul hit a dead end and could have quit. Instead, he stayed sensitive to God and waited for God to open another door. God used a vision to show the Apostle Paul where He was sending him next. The man from Macedonia in Paul’s dream represented all the culture, intelligence, religion, and achievements of Greek civilization, however he was spiritually bankrupt. Here the Gospel turns to Europe. So, after two closed doors, God opens a door to Europe for the first time.
Reflection
Have you allowed life’s adversities to discourage and immobilize you? If God has closed doors, you can be sure He is going to open that door eventually or another one somewhere else.
Prayer/Praise
Praise God for being in control even when it feels like things are falling apart. Ask God to help you respond in faith when you can’t see the big picture.
