My recent Bible reading took me to the familiar passage in Acts 16, which we label “The Macedonian Call.” Paul and Silas were staying in Troas after encountering barriers to their work in Asia. Even in Phrygia and Galatia, the Lord prevented them from preaching the Good News there.

It must have been frustrating for these dedicated missionaries. They had experienced blessings as they served in Lystra, Iconium, and many of the surrounding towns. The Bible recounts that the people in those areas were strengthened in their faith, and the churches grew stronger and larger every day.

So, what was up now? Why were Paul and Silas being blocked?

Do you relate to any of this? A season of effective ministry can be followed by times when it seems like nothing is working out as planned. You try new ministry strategies, and there is little or no response. Or, worse still, you face obstacles and setbacks. You gather the team to discuss what you should be doing, since these other approaches weren’t achieving the goal. Or you persist with strategies that aren’t yielding results, hoping things will turn around.

At some point, the Christian leader has to remember what Isaiah understood:

“My thoughts are nothing like your thoughts,” says the LORD. “And my ways are far beyond anything you could imagine….”

Isaiah 55:8 NLT

Are you in Troas now? Have you faced the kinds of roadblocks that cause you to doubt your calling or, at the very least, your direction in ministry? Open up your heart to the Lord’s direction. There is no indication in Scripture that Paul and Silas debated with God. When the Lord revealed His vision for these missionaries to go to Macedonia, they went. Eugene Peterson interprets their response this way:

We went to work at once getting things ready to cross over to Macedonia. All the pieces had come together. We knew now for sure that God had called us to preach the good news to the Europeans.

Acts 16:9-10 MSG

If you are in Troas in your leadership, if it seems the ideas you thought were important are interrupted or shut down, you may be just a dream…a vision…away from God’s great plan for you and your ministry work. In the spirit of Ephesians 3:20, the Lord may be ready to do far more than you could ever imagine or guess or request in your wildest dreams!

God’s best,