The Way Into Macedonia
By W. A. S.
So often we meet souls in distress because some cherished plan in the work can not be carried out. The worry and perplexity about the thing that can not be done is sometimes allowed to unfit one for the work that can be done. The world is full of open doors to service. If the way is blocked for a cherished plan, do the next thing. Paul was meeting success in Phrygia and Galatia, but suddenly the Spirit forbade him to preach in Asia. Then he "assayed to go into Bithynia; but the Spirit suffered them not." He was held back and prevented from carrying out his plan. We are not told what circumstances blocked the way. The apostle might easily have unfitted himself for any service by fretting and worrying about the hedging up of the way, if he had been that kind of man. But when he could not do the thing he had in mind to do, he knew there must be some next thing for him. Then it was that the call came to go over into Macedonia, and a new and marvelous work was begun in Europe. It is well to remember that the way in Macedonia was opened after other ways were shut up. Is the way closed in one direction? Don’t worry about it. Do the next thing. You will find a Macedonia of need somewhere. The blocking of the path may be but to turn your feet into the road to wider service. W. A. S.