September 29, 2011 - Acts 20:13

“We went on ahead to the ship and sailed for Assos, where we were going to take Paul aboard. He had made this arrangement because he was going there on foot.” Acts 20:13.
Paul and his traveling companions left Troas, heading for Assos, with Jerusalem as their final destination. By sea, this trip was about 40 miles, and by foot, it was about 20 miles. Paul sensed that he should go by foot, while sending his friends on by sea. He planned on meeting them in the port city of Assos. We have no account for why they traveled to Assos by different methods, but it’s clear that they split up for a time. Perhaps Paul needed some time alone to think about what was to come in Jerusalem, or perhaps it was for some other reason. I would like to think that Paul had a sense from God, maybe a whisper from His voice, that he should make that hike alone, sending the others by sea. Paul could have had a strong sense of following after God in this particular direction.
As I reflected on this verse, I thought about God’s direction in my life. And I started asking myself some questions concerning His leadings. Suring this time, I realized that there have been many times when I did what I wanted to do without consulting God. There have also been times when I had a sense of God’s direction, yet I chose not to move that way, either out of fear or some other negative reason. Finally, I have experienced times when I sensed His direction and I actually moved as I believed He wanted me to go. In looking back, when I did the first two, I realized, to my own shame, my sin, and I confessed and received His forgiveness and cleansing. When I have done the third, I sensed God’s pleasure. Paul showed himself to be a man that followed after God in the big things, as well as the smaller, seemingly insignificant things.
Questions to consider: Have you sensed God’s direction in your life? In significant ways? In less significant ways? What was your response? How do you sense His direction in your life? What stands in the way of you following through with God’s direction in your life?
Prayer: Father, please help me to hear Your quiet voice as You whisper direction to me. Give me the will and the strength to follow through with it. Amen.