And they went through the region of Phrygia and Galatia, having been forbidden by the Holy Spirit to speak the word in Asia. And when they had come opposite Mysia, they attempted to go into Bithynia, but the Spirit of Jesus did not allow them; so, passing by Mysia, they went down to Troas. And a vision appeared to Paul in the night: a man of Macedonia was standing beseeching him and saying, "Come over to Macedonia and help us." And when he had seen the vision, immediately we sought to go on into Macedonia, concluding that God had called us to preach the gospel to them.
Acts 16:6–10 (RSV)
A Yiddish proverb: 'If you want to make God laugh, tell Him your plans for tomorrow.'
St. Paul was intent on going to Bithynia to preach the Gospel there. But, every time he tried, something prevented it. I would imagine that he, like us, would assume that these barriers would resolve in time. As they did not, he began to see that the Holy Spirit had other plans. The Spirit provided the vision of Macedonia needing the Word, and to Macedonia St. Paul and his companions went.
The same Spirit has called us all as St. Paul. We, by virtue of our baptism, are sent to proclaim the Gospel. We may be clear on how we are to accomplish this, or we may be uncertain as to how God could use us. God's purpose will be played out in our lives. As we pray, 'Thy will be done,' we ask the Lord to open our eyes to see His will for us.
Then, we, like St. Paul, must go to Macedonia. What we may have planned will be transformed into God's plan. Someone is waiting to hear the Good News of Jesus from you. You may be eager to go and share. You might be uncertain but willing as the Spirit leads. You may well be terrified of the thought, hoping the Lord will overlook you.
The Spirit will lead us wherever we should go. Perhaps to Macedonia, or to Guttenberg, Prairie du Chien, or to the neighbor who longs to be blessed by the Lord. We will go in the same Spirit who called St. Paul. We go confident that it is the Lord who leads.