QT 5/1/2025 1 Cor 16:5–11, Stay open to God's leading

1 Corinthians 16:5–11 (ESV) —

5 I will visit you after passing through Macedonia, for I intend to pass through Macedonia, 6 and perhaps I will stay with you or even spend the winter, so that you may help me on my journey, wherever I go. 7 For I do not want to see you now just in passing. I hope to spend some time with you, if the Lord permits. 8 But I will stay in Ephesus until Pentecost, 9 for a wide door for effective work has opened to me, and there are many adversaries.

10 When Timothy comes, see that you put him at ease among you, for he is doing the work of the Lord, as I am. 11 So let no one despise him. Help him on his way in peace, that he may return to me, for I am expecting him with the brothers.

 

NOTE: Part of Paul's plans fell through, but he did end up back in Corinth, and spent some time there. The bible uses 'door' as a metaphor for opportunity in a few places in scriptures. Sometimes the door is closed and sometimes it is open, but God NEVER said "if he closes a door, he opens a window" -- that is NOT scripture. The idea is not necessarily bad. If God closes a door, that means he doesn't want you to go in that direction, so you pray and seek the next step in your life. God has a plan.

 

Proverbs 16:9 (ESV) —

9 The heart of man plans his way,

but the Lord establishes his steps.

Proverbs 19:21 (ESV) —

21 Many are the plans in the mind of a man,

but it is the purpose of the Lord that will stand.

 

My favorite verse on this subject of God's leading (and a much better to thing to quote than "doors and windows") is as follows:

 

Proverbs 3:5–6 (ESV) —

5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart,

and do not lean on your own understanding.

6 In all your ways acknowledge him,

and he will make straight your paths.

 

I think seeking God is key, but obedience is the second key. It is one thing to know what God is calling you to do, but if you are not obedient, well, that is much worse than forcing yourself through a closed door.

 

PONDER:

1. Have I sought God on what he wants me to be doing at this point in my life?
2. Am I fighting God on what he wants me to do, and what I want to do? (I disagree with the notion that God won't put you into something you won't like. A servant is obedient, not vocal.)

 

PRAYER: Father, I will admit to not necessarily being enthused in my new role taking care of my grandchildren. It seems like such an unimportant ministry. And yet I know, many grandparents would do just about anything to be able to be with their grandchildren five days a week. And I do love watching them grow, crawl, walk, and start saying words. I do love hearing them call my name, Moshu (it's Romanian and what I used to call my great grandfather). I do love all of that part. But, it wasn't what I planned to be doing in the first few years of my retirement. It's growing on me, and I am glad. May I continue to seek you because I don't know what tomorrow holds.