“When they reached Ephesus he left them there, but he himself entered the synagogue and engaged in discussion with the Jews. And though they asked him to stay for a longer time, he declined, but he said good-bye and stated, ‘I’ll come back to you again, if God wills.’ Then he set sail from Ephesus.” Acts 18:19-21 [HCSB]
A few months ago, a friend called to say she was starting back up a neighborhood ladies Bible study. She invited me to take part but as I prayed, I sensed that God was giving me a clear no.
I was a bit surprised because surely this was a great opportunity to meet with ladies and open God’s word together. Why would God say no to that? In fact, I’d started this Bible study in my neighborhood a couple of years earlier.
Of course, God didn’t say no to the Bible study; he said no to me.
Truth is, my plate was full enough. I was in an incredibly busy season with my family and it was all I could do to get the homeschooling done, get dinners on the table and get them to sports practices and games. On top of that, I was teaching Sunday school and writing.
So, practically, I knew I had no margin in which to add a Bible study. And though I was sure of God’s answer and direction, it just felt remiss to say no to such an opportunity.
Discerning God’s will for us can seem like a murky business. But the older I get – or maybe it’s the more I press in close to God and steep myself in His Word – the more I hear His direction.
That doesn’t mean that I always have writing-in-the-sky clarity. But there are some principles I’ve learned that I wish I could tell my younger self. One of those would be about open doors.
There are times when we’re discerning God’s will that a door swings wide open and we can walk right through it knowing it’s from God.
But not every open door is from God.
Not every invitation is His call.
In Acts 18, Paul was wrapping up his second missionary journey. For the first time ever, he’d arrived at Ephesus, an important city with a major seaport and intersecting trade routes. He went first to the synagogue – his routine practice – to share the gospel with the Jews. They were receptive. They asked him to stay. What a great invitation! What a beautiful opportunity!
But Paul said no.
Wait — after being thrown out of villages, stoned nearly to death, put in prison, on the run for his life and rejected in synagogue after synagogue, Paul said no to an open invitation to continue sharing the gospel in Ephesus?
Acts 18 records it clearly. He was headed to Jerusalem and said only that he would return to Ephesus if God’s willed it. Though Paul left two ministry partners – Aquila and Priscilla – in Ephesus to continue the work, he moved on.
I wonder if God didn’t allow that small detail in His Word so that we would have one more principle in discerning God’s will. We need to know that not every open door is from God and not every invitation is God’s will for us.
We need to be okay with not walking through an open door even when it looks like a good door and a great opportunity.
As it turns out, God did allow Paul to return to Ephesus where he stayed and taught for three years.
We have a good Shepherd who knows how and why He directs us in particular directions. The adventure of this life is getting to listen close and follow just as closely. We may never know why God allows some paths and steers us away from others, but we can trust His direction.
http://holleygerth.com/dangerous-women/
Not every open door is God ~ yes. I’m reading in that same vicinity in Acts right now, too. Good stuff and good reminder, Lisa.
It is *great* stuff! We’ve been doing it as a family but I get to start all over again with the ladies in my Sunday school class next month. Acts reminds us New Testament believers that our God is powerful.
Lisa, this is such a good reminder for us all, isn’t it? It’s so hard to say no to what looks like a good opportunity, but you are a wise woman! I just finished The Best Yes a few months ago and really want to read it again. I need this lesson drilled into my head! 😉
I’ve been wanting to read that b/c I’m sure Lysa has all kinds of practical words in The Best Yes. .On my list, but new books keep piling to the top. 🙂
Lisa, thank you so much for these words. It helps to clarify that the Word is truly our guide. Jesus,will direct us if we just seek Him.
He does, Susan. Boy, do I hope we get to see the why behind God’s leading but even if not, He is trustworthy.
Hi Lisa. Thanks for your candor and wisdom. The “open door” policy of discovering God’s will is not as obvious as we would like it to be. I like what you said: “The adventure of this life is getting to listen close and follow just as closely.” Stopping by from #RaRaLinkup!
Thank you for stopping by Joy! Good to see you here.
So true, Lisa. God’s been guarding some doors with a “no” sign at the entrance for me too, this year. I’m so grateful that He sees what we can’t. He’s a trustworthy guide. Lovely post today, Lisa. Thanks for sharing. ((sweet blessings))
He is trustworthy. Thank you, Brenda.
Such a great word, Lisa! I know I need to hear it. It’s been very hard to say no to attending She Speaks this year, but it has been clear that I am not to go. Thank you for sharing your insight! Blessings.
Julie, that’s a hard no for sure but God’s timing is always perfect and you will see the fruit of following Him.
Lisa, I could listen to this lesson every day. May God give us discernment to know which doors to walk through, and which to leave for others.
Blessings.
Yes, thank you Michele.
This is so true – and hard sometimes! I love the encouragement here to continue to seek God and live within in his will that’s unique to us. I’m so glad you linked up this post at #ThreeWordWednesday.
Thank you for hosting, Kristin.
“I wonder if God didn’t allow that small detail in His Word so that we would have one more principle in discerning God’s will.” I love this, Lisa. The Bible is so relevant, even in the smallest details. And I appreciate the overall premise of what you’re saying, too. In my head, I phrase it like this: Just because I can doesn’t mean I should! I hope you have a fruitful day!
I love that mantra, Lois. So freeing!
As a college student in a very busy season of her life, this is such an encouragement Lisa! I find that when I’m overcommitted I don’t always have the energy to listen to Him speaking to me. But just because this door is not meant for you doesn’t mean you can’t encourage someone else along that way!
Yes, so true Delaney. BTW, love the name of your site. God has taught me much on that verse!
This is a wonderful post and in reading the comments, I too desire to read The Best Yes but it remains on my “wishlist.”
This topic really hits home today since my husband and I have been praying for direction with a few “doors” of opportunity for our family, mainly regarding the upcoming school year.
It has been a blessing to pray about these things, wait, talk, feel that Holy Spirit confirmation we sometimes feel, and then see the fruits of walking that out in faith. It hasn’t always been this way for us. Not long ago, if I were Paul like mentioned above, I might have stayed either from peer pressure or just because I thought it was a “good and Christian thing to do,” regardless if it left me overwhelmed and strained. (then would come the confusion and guilt of “why do I feel this way when I said yes to a Godly thing?”)
So, yes….thanks for sharing this!!!
Oh, the guilt. That’s never from God but boy have I battled it as well!
Oh, Meghan, I understand the guilty-yeses we talk ourselves into. Thank you for sharing!
Nice article