Years had passed since Paul’s first missionary journey. Now, he was retracing his steps to strengthen the churches, his heart set on preaching the gospel in Asia. He kept trying, eager to reach different corners of what was then called Asia or Asia Minor.
They went through the region of Phrygia and Galatia; they had been forbidden by the Holy Spirit to speak the word in Asia. When they came to Mysia, they tried to go into Bithynia, but the Spirit of Jesus did not allow them.
This is astonishing. Paul longed to share the gospel in these places, yet the Holy Spirit stopped him cold—no words were to be spoken there. Then, in a unique moment—the only time Scripture uses this phrase—the “Spirit of Jesus” barred him from Bithynia. Why would God resist Paul’s good intentions? Why would the Spirit of Jesus stand in the way of spreading the good news?
The answer unfolds: God had other plans.
During the night Paul had a vision in which a Macedonian man was standing and pleading with him, “Cross over to Macedonia and help us!” After he had seen the vision, we immediately made efforts to set out for Macedonia, concluding that God had called us to preach the gospel to them.
In a vivid nighttime vision, God redirected Paul. A Macedonian man’s plea became his new call, and Paul’s team wasted no time heading to Macedonia. Along that path, God worked through Paul in miraculous ways, planting churches and spreading the gospel afresh.
How often are we so set on doing something really good, but God has another plan? We can dig in our heels, thinking we just need to push harder, but are we listening to Him? Are we in tune with His Spirit? Are we obeying the Spirit of Jesus? He Himself may be holding us back—not because our goal is bad, but because He sees a different path. Even when we’re set on something noble, like sharing the gospel, God might redirect us for His purpose.
Here we find Paul forbidden from Asia, barred from Bithynia, yet God had a bigger plan. Through Paul’s trust in God’s timing, the gospel reached new places in incredible ways. We can trust Him too. The question is: Are we listening?
