6 “When they had gone through the region of Phrygia and Galatia, they were forbidden by the Holy Spirit to speak the word in Asia. 7 When they had come opposite Mysia, they tried to go into Bithynia, but the Spirit didn’t allow them. 8 Passing by Mysia, they came down to Troas.”

Imagine setting out on a journey and finding the road you know is closed. You had planned everything around that route. Now you feel stranded. Yet knowing only one way does not mean there is no other way forward.

In Fruit That Lasts, we learnt to remain in Christ. In A Time for Everything, we learnt to trust Him through changing seasons. This week, we consider how to follow Him when He changes our direction.

Paul and his companions wanted to preach the gospel. Yet the Holy Spirit stopped them from preaching in Asia. They tried to enter Bithynia, and again, the Spirit would not allow them. These men were trying to serve God, but they still needed His guidance about where to go. Having a good plan does not remove our need to listen to God.

Verse 8 tells us their response: “So they passed by Mysia and went down to Troas.” They changed direction and continued the journey. Notice the order: the blocked paths came first; the vision pointing them towards Macedonia came afterwards, in verses 9-10. They followed the direction they had before the next step became clear.

That is where many of us struggle. We want God to show us the whole new plan before we release the old one. Sometimes we keep pushing a closed door because it is the only plan we have. We have pictured our future around that job, that business or that opportunity. Letting go feels like losing our future.

But God is not limited to the options we can see. He can lead us towards people, places and opportunities we had never considered. Our part is to remain willing to follow, trust His leading even before we understand where the changed route will take us.

There is also a lesson about timing. Later, Acts 19:10 describes the gospel spreading throughout Asia through Paul’s ministry. The earlier restriction did not mean Asia would never hear God’s Word. A path closed at one stage is not necessarily closed forever.

As we discern God’s seasons and times, we must remember that not every difficulty means He is telling us to stop. Some situations require perseverance. Bring the obstacle to Him in prayer, let Scripture guide you and seek wise counsel. Ask whether this is a time to keep going or a time to change direction.

Perhaps your only plan has stalled. You can bring that disappointment honestly to God. You do not need to have another plan ready before you can trust Him. Stay close, remain willing and take the next step He makes clear.

1. Am I holding tightly to this plan because God is leading me, or because I am afraid of having no other plan?

2. What can I do today to seek God’s direction and become willing to follow, even if He leads me another way?