This series of articles offers a look at Greece through a
tourist's eyes and a Christian's heart. Pastor Aderman
traveled in Greece during January 2001.
Kavala was the first European seaport Paul landed in after leaving
Troas and the continent of Asia on his second missionary journey.
He had traveled through southeastern Turkey, retracing the route of
his first missionary journey, and had his eye set on bringing the
gospel to western Turkey. But the Spirit said no. He looked in
another direction and set his sights on bringing the gospel to
northwestern Turkey along the Black Sea. But the Spirit said no.
Then he had a dream. He saw a man from Macedonia (the area of Greece
that embraces Philippi and Thessalonica). The man begged, "Come over
to Macedonia and help us." Paul concluded that was the Lord's way of
directing his next move, so he set out "at once" for northeastern
Greece (Acts 16:6-10). The ship he boarded delivered him to Neapolis
("New City"). Today's Greeks call it Kavala.
Kavala and Paul's journey through it reminds of the apostle's
commitment to trust God. Paul had plans-wonderful plans-to share the
gospel in Turkey. The provinces of Asia and Bithynia seemed fertile
fields for sowing the good news about Jesus. But God said, "No." Or
perhaps more precisely, God said, "Not yet," or "Not through your
sowing, Paul." So the apostle -a strong willed, singularly focused
man-gulped down his ego and abandoned his plans. He waited for the
Lord's direction. When it came, he immediately followed-even though
it took him to a place that had been completely off his radar screen.
That makes me think about my plans. Plans for my family. Plans for
vacations. Plans for my ministry. I've got a pretty good idea about
what I'd like to have happen in each of those categories. And it
annoys me-more than poison ivy while in a body cast-to give up on the
way I think my life should go.
But that means I've still got something to learn from the great
apostle about letting God scratch where he has an itch rather than
where I have an itch.
Through Paul the Spirit assures that nothing (not life or death, not
the present or the future, not the crumbling of my plans) will
separate any Christian from God's love (Romans 8:38,39). It's Paul
who wrote, "God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in
all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in
every good work" (2 Corinthians 9:8). And, of course, it's an
imprisoned Paul who urges us to live in the joy that transformed his
life, "Rejoice in the Lord always! Let me say it again, rejoice!"
(Philippians 4:4).
Here's the fuel that ignited such trust: "The life I live in the
body, I live by faith in the Son of God who loved me and gave himself
for me" (Galatians 2:20).
Since God sacrificed his own Son to make me his for eternity, I will
trust him to lead me through life here. So when I want to go to
Sardis or Miletus and my Father says no, I am empowered to breathe
deeply and say, "Fine. Show me where you want me to go. I'll be on
the next ship. Even if it takes me to Kavala."
Consider the areas God is calling you to change your plans and
substitute his by clicking here and going on to Deeper Thoughts.
