Acts 16 -- What Might Have Been

Something really tugged at my heart in this chapter: 

 

“The Holy Spirit did not let them preach the Good News in the country of Asia … they tried to go into Bithynia, but the Spirit of Jesus did not let them.”

 

I remember reviewing these places on a map not long ago.  Paul was heading up and down the Mediterranean coast in what we now know as Turkey.  Here, he was wanting to move inland.  Had he been allowed to continue on that course, he would have taken the Gospel to the coast of the Black Sea, and from there it would have been a short sail to what we now know as Ukraine – my boys’ original home.  Cities there might have been mentioned in the Bible!

 

But the Spirit did not let Paul and his companions travel there.  God in His sovereignty sent the Word first to Europe instead of Asia.  I have to remember two things:

 

1)       This summer Ukraine celebrated the 1,025^th anniversary of Christianity arriving in their country.  Now that’s history!

2)      Had God done it all in reverse, America might not have become a Christian nation and I might never have been led to travel to Ukraine to adopt my sons! 

 

Thank You for listening and obeying, Paul!

 

Father, we have an opportunity in two more days to impact many lives for Christ.  Help me to be like Paul when the time comes.  Show me who You are drawing to Yourself.

 

Your Brother In Christ,

Gary Ford