Next Paul and Silas traveled through the area of Phrygia and Galatia, because the Holy Spirit had prevented them from preaching the word in the province of Asia at that time. Then coming to the borders of Mysia, they headed north for the province of Bithynia, but again the Spirit of Jesus did not allow them to go there. So instead, they went on through Mysia to the seaport of Troas. 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!” So we decided to leave for Macedonia at once, having concluded that God was calling us to preach the Good News there.
Acts 16:6-10 (NLT)
Have you ever had a door slam closed on something that you were sure was going to be a great opportunity for you? Your life was headed in a great direction and then you ran into a “ROAD CLOSED” sign.
One time it happened to me was during my junior year of college. I had been car-less for the first two and a half years of school. I had to rely on public transportation or bumming rides off my friends to get around the Twin Cities where my college was located. Then an opportunity to get a brand new car for free came my way. I got the chance to shoot for one during half-time of a minor league basketball game. I won the contest that night and got invited back for a “shoot off” against the other high scorers from the season. I kept shooting and I kept winning and I ended up in the finals. It was down to me and one other guy for the car. The day of the final game I spent hours at the local YMCA working on my shots and imagining grabbing the keys to that car. I was sure that God was going to help me get that car since I couldn’t afford one of my own. So that night I showed up, shot well, and had the highest score I got during the entire contest. And I lost. We met at half court and the other guy got handed the car keys, I got a handshake. It felt like the door had slammed in my face.
Maybe you’ve had that feeling. It might have been not getting the job you were sure you had locked up. You didn’t get into your chosen college and had to settle for your ‘safety school.’ Your relationship with ‘the one’ didn’t pan out. Or you walked out of the doctor’s office with a diagnosis you never saw coming.
In Acts 16 we read about a trip that the Apostle Paul and his friend Silas took. Two different times they had a plan and two different times, God closed that door. It had to be frustrating and it had to make Paul wonder if he was doing the right thing. But instead of giving up or going home, Paul and Silas waited. They put their focus on God instead of on their agenda. And eventually, God opened a new door that ended up having a global impact (check out the story in Acts 16). We often see a closed door as REJECTION, but God often uses closed doors for REDIRECTION. We focus on our plans, but God directs our steps. Paul and Silas trusted God for divine direction and it worked out for them. I am confident God will do that for you too.
When is the last time you faced a closed door? How did you respond? What did God teach you through that experience?