Divine Diversions /绕道
Dexu Xia
Divine Diversions
They tried to enter Bithynia, but the Spirit of Jesus would not allow them to. Acts 16:7
It can be difficult when we’re told “no” or “not now,” especially when we sense God has opened a door for us to serve others. Early in my ministry, two opportunities came my way where I thought my gifts and skills matched the churches’ needs, but both doors eventually closed. After these two disappointments, another position came along, and I was selected. With that ministry call came thirteen years of life-touching pastoral labors.
Twice in Acts 16 Paul and company were redirected by God. First, they were “kept by the Holy Spirit from preaching the word in the province of Asia” (v. 6). Then, “When they came to the border of Mysia, they tried to enter Bithynia, but the Spirit of Jesus would not allow them to” (v. 7). Unknown to them, God had other plans that would be right for His work and workers. His no to the previous plans put them in a position to listen to and be confidently led by Him (vv. 9–10).
Who among us hasn’t grieved what we initially thought to be a painful loss? We’ve felt wounded when we didn’t get a certain job, when a service opportunity didn’t materialize, when a relocation got derailed. Though such things can momentarily be weighty, time often reveals that such detours are actually divine diversions that God graciously uses to get us where He wants us, and we are grateful.
Reflect & Pray
What loss have you grieved only to be grateful that what you desired you didn’t get? How did the situation serve to bolster your trust in the Lord?
Father, I praise You that in Your wisdom You know how to best arrange my life. Thank You for protecting me through Your detours.
绕道
他们想要往庇推尼去，耶稣的灵却不许。-使徒行传16章7节
当我们觉得上帝已经开路给我们机会去服事他人时，结果得到的答案却是“不”或“不是现在”，相信我们都会感到挫败和难过。记得多年前，在我事奉的初期，曾经遇到两个新的事奉机会。当时，我认为自己的恩赐和能力符合教会的需要，但最后这两道门都关了。经历两次的失望之后，另一个服事的职分出现了，我终于获选任职，走上13年牧养事奉之路，让我有机会影响许多人的生命。
在使徒行传16章，上帝两次让保罗和他的同工们绕道而行。起初，圣灵“禁止他们在亚西亚讲道”（6节），后来“到了每西亚的边界，他们想要往庇推尼去，耶稣的灵却不许”（7节）。那时，他们并不明白上帝另有计划，不知道上帝对祂的工作和仆人有最恰当的安排。上帝只是对他们所定的计划说“不”，要他们完全听凭上帝的带领（9-10节）。
如果失去了机会，有谁不会感到难过呢？我们都曾因没有得到某份工作、某个事奉机会，或调迁的计划告吹而感到伤心失望。开始时我们会觉得那是莫大的损失，但时间却往往证明，这样的“绕道”其实是上帝的奇妙安排，让我们能前往祂要我们去的地方，我们都当心怀感恩。
天父，我赞美祢，因祢满有智慧，
知道如何为我的生命制定最好的计划。
感谢祢让我在绕道时蒙祢保守。
你曾因失去而难过，但后来却为此感恩吗？这些处境如何帮助你更信靠上帝？