In Acts 16:6, Paul said “6 Now when they had gone throughout Phrygia and the region of Galatia, and were forbidden of the Holy Ghost to preach the word in Asia.” Have you ever planned a trip only to have something interfere, like the weather or schedules or accommodations? It seemed like a great idea and you were looking forward to it, but it just didn’t work out. In life, we often make plans and work out a path, a roadmap if you will, to make the plan happen only to run into road block after road block. The idea seemed practical and good. Why was the way blocked?
In Acts 16, Paul had a plan to go to Asia to preach. What could be nobler? However, God not only blocked his path, he forbade him to go. Paul and his companions were forced to go to Troas instead. Why would God do that? As it turns out, while Paul was there, he had a vision of a man from Macedonia begging him to come to them. How did you get to Macedonia then? You had to take a ship from Troas. God had positioned them to be in the perfect location so that they would be able to leave immediately when the call came.
I have applied time and again for jobs in two fields, trying to get a full-time job using my degree. It seems sound and practical, but I have been blocked time and again. I have spent time and energy applying for jobs and tracking down leads while ignoring my writing plans because I had it in my head that I should be working toward a full-time job, a career, in a real career. The truth is I wasted a lot of time worrying, fretting, and chasing after something when I could have used the time to write. Maybe I have spent too much time trying to go to Asia when I should have been going to Macedonia.
If you have been blocked from doing something or going somewhere, take a look around and see if God has other plans for you. The end result will be greater than we can imagine if we follow God’s leading. The wisdom of the world can oft lead us astray from the greater path that God has for us if we will only let go and follow Him.