Closed doors lead to Lydia

Today, I must confess, has been a difficult one. There have been numerous distractions prying me away from the knowledge of God’s truth. It is of course no coincidence that the message which I wrote so earnestly less then twenty-four hours ago is the one I am struggling with most in my life right now. For I wrote ‘it is so powerful to know that all that we need to live exist within the knowledge of God’; yet my mind keeps pulling me away into the mind games of dejection.

For earlier today I found out that the new job opportunity I applied for about a month ago and interviewed last week for will not be a part of my future. The hiring manager called and said they decided to go with someone more qualified. It was not a complete shock because I knew my experience at Excel was lacking and the job involved the ability to write advanced Excel spreadsheets. But anytime someone hears that they were not chosen as the right person for the position, it is easy [through the flesh] to find some unease in such a circumstance.

So I find myself at the footstool of a message I shared with others this morning from 2nd Peter. ‘All we need to live exist within the knowledge of God’ I wrote last night as a winter storm was bearing down with wind and rain. A message intended to share hope for all who was dealing with moments of uncertainty, confusion, and maybe even a little dejection about circumstances. Now less then twenty-four hours later, this message I shared sounds like one intended for this afternoon—one intended for my life.

God has made some incredible promises in the Word for all who believes. He has promised to watch over His sheep in order to strengthen and protect them from the evil one (2 Thess. 3:3 NIV). He has sent His Spirit to us in order to guide those who believe in all truth (John 16:13 NIV). God has promised that He has plans to prosper us while giving us a hope and a future (Jer. 29:11 NIV). The list could continue with many more examples for there are many more promises God has shared with His people; but the key point to remember is that all of them are promises directly made to us who believe. Therefore all we need to live really does exist within the knowledge of God, right?

But how does this knowledge resolve the moment of dejection when a door which seemed so wide open suddenly closes? How do we continue to find strength in this knowledge when circumstances are distracting you? I believe we must find ourselves studying the Scripture to find the answer to these two questions. Therefore I am led to Acts 16 where something interesting happened on Paul’s second missionary journey.

Just when Paul was moving through Cilicia; strengthening the churches in the region; seeing much growth in the local congregations; finding a young disciple named Timothy; a roadblock was put in his way. For Acts 16 records this of the journey:

“Paul and his companions traveled throughout the region of Phrygia and Galatia, having been kept by the Holy Spirit from preaching the word in the province of Asia. When they came to the border of Mysia, they tried to enter Bithynia, but the Spirit of Jesus would not allow them to. So they passed by Mysia and went down to Troas.” Acts 16:6-8 NIV

The Holy Spirit prevented them from moving toward Asia, even though this was Paul’s intention. In fact the Scripture records specifically that they were unable to enter Mysia or Bithynia which were two separate Roman providences. The Scriptures do not share with us what Paul’s intentions were in those two places regarding any specific cities he was hoping to travel through; but the Word is clear about one thing, there was an open door and it was suddenly closed.

My brothers and sisters, here is where the message meets everyday life. There are sometimes opportunities which seem like they are destined to take place. Success was found just yesterday and everything seems right for success to continue. We have set forth with plans and everything is coming together for one more success. This view is common and occurs everyday of our lives maybe if it only at the subliminal level of our minds.

Yet this view is worldly and is not the truth. The truth is that sometimes there is a better plan which God intends for us. This was the case for Paul as recorded in Acts 16. This is the case for us today. Sometimes there is a Lydia waiting to hear the good news and only God knows what is necessary to take us there.

The path Paul intended was the path away from Lydia, not toward her. If Paul’s choice of where to proceed on the journey would have been followed, the message may have never reached the shores of Macedonia where Lydia lived. It was through this meeting with the Apostle Paul that her whole family was baptized and the Christian faith was eventually shared into the heart of Europe. What a beautiful picture of success through the doors that God opened, not man. For God was glorified and the message of Jesus Christ was shared!

Therefore may my knowledge of God abound within this story. Though doors have been closed, may the Lord lead me to a Lydia. My heart hurts over the desires of a felt opportunity, but may my heart heal through the desires of God’s everlasting truth. For the timing of God is impeccable in all things, including my life. May the success that only God knows be found in my life, for such success is eternal.

This is the knowledge I seek, and the truth we all share. As I conclude, my life moves forward with purpose. May the dejection of a closed door be replaced with the peace of a loving, all-knowing God. May my life be led to a Lydia in order to change the lives of others who desperately needs to truth.