Day 26
While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, ’Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.' --Acts 13:2 Sometimes we are settled in the work before us and have no desire or intention make any changes or alterations in that work. But heaven can be full of surprises. Heaven sees greater purposes for us than we could ever imagine for ourselves. And heaven is not shy in finding a way to reveal those purposes to us. It can be quite disarming to us when these purposes are not revealed to us directly but come to us through the mouths of others. In the church at Antioch prophets, teachers, and several of the disciples had gathered together for prayer and fasting. In that empty space between prayer and prayer’s answer, they heard the Spirit of God revealing a new purpose for Saul and Barnabas. What is so amazing is not that they heard the Spirit of God, but that Saul and Barnabas agreed to follow the direction of those who had heard God’s Spirit. What would it be like for us to respond readily to new tracks, new plans, new purposes for our work when heaven called us – even if those directions came from others? Would we be willing to take the risk to make changes when God’s strategies were laid bare through the lives of others? If we responded positively, might we find that elusive sliver of fullness that we only dimly realized we were missing? O God, help me hear the heart of others and find there your own voice of loving direction. These meditations by Renee Miller first appeared at explorefaith.org Please use the share button at the top to share with friends and loved ones. Thanks!
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