Human Planning & Divine Will
To the ends of the earth - Acts 16:6-11 (ESV) - Tim Kroeker
Proverbs 3:5-6
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.”
“When God closes a door, He always opens a window.” We often comfort ourselves with this phrase in the face of a missed opportunity. You didn’t land the dream job, missed out on a promotion, or got dumped by the girl? Don’t worry! When God closes a door, he always opens a window.
This phrase isn’t actually found in the Bible. It was popularized by Julie Andrews playing Maria in the 1965, Oscar-winning film, The Sound of Music, as she leaves the abbey to become a governess. That being said, there is some truth to this saying as it describes, at least partly, God’s providence in the lives of His people.
In Acts 16 we read how the Lord directed Paul’s steps as he headed out on his second missionary journey. After visiting the churches previously established all throughout Southern Galatia, Paul and his team wished to spread the gospel, first south into Asia Minor and then North into an area called Bithynia. But in each instance God frustrated the missionary team’s well-intentioned plans. Instead, he revealed to them his own. God called them to take the gospel to Europe, to the region of Macedonia.
Eventually Paul would take the gospel into Asia Minor as well. But first, God had other plans. Though not as memorable as a slightly overly cheerful phrase from a movie, Paul’s personal experience helps us understand a bit better the relationship between human planning and the divine will. As we submit all of our ways to the Lordship of Christ, His Spirit sovereignly directs our paths.
