Hi Guys,
As most of you know, I am in the middle of applying for school - my life is going through a period of transition and changes are flying at me. I've generally found that whenever Christians pray for things like job or school applications, the phrase of choice is generally for God to "open the right doors." Verbatim, those are practically my own prayers this past season. But I noticed something interesting in studying Acts recently.
In the 16th Chapter, we find that Paul and Silas were beaten and imprisoned due to false accusations. In the middle of the night the prison doors miraculously opened and chains fell off their wrists and feet, yet they stayed in their cells. Why? My thought is that they were so in tune with following God's will that when they see a literal door open, their first instinct wasn't escape but seek God's will - and I believe they were told to wait. It was later revealed that both Paul and Silas were Roman citizens, and their beating and imprisonment was unlawful. Now, if I was threatened with unwarranted physical beating and imprisonment that I can get out by simply declaring my citizenship - I would probably do so. Yet these men sought God's will even under those circumstance.
This begs the question. Why would God, who loves us, purpose for us to suffer? Why would God tell Paul and Silas to bear the beating and imprisonment in stoic silence? We'll never know the full effect of their decision, that is for God to know; yet Acts records the lives of other prisoners touched by the hymns they sang to God (none of them escaped when the doors opened). We see a jailer (not usually the softest characters) moved by their testimony and integrity in not seeking escape, so much so that his entire family found salvation that very night. Lastly, we are told of magistrates who, embarrassed with the wrongful imprisonment of two Roman citizen, were all too eager to be sympathetic to a newly formed Philippian church. God's kingdom grew in Philippi and I believe it had its roots in the events surrounding Paul and Silas' decision to seek God's will rather than leap through an open door.
One of the harshest lessons for a 21rst century, first-world believer is that God's will is NOT necessarily our health and prosperity. An open door is not necessarily an invitation to walk through, but perhaps a means to demonstrate a people who would choose to value God over the blessings of an open door. I'm not saying we should live in perpetual indecision of trying to figure out God's will; but there needs to be a decision made daily to value God over any opportunities we are blessed with. Encouragement for the week: Ask for doors to be opened, but continue to seek God's will and direction even after an opportunity presents itself.
Have a happy Wednesday,
Edward
Acts 16:19-40
http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Acts%2016:19-40&version=NIV
Funny video of friends hypnotizing each other (Thanks Christina)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3UfZNbLOkRA&feature=g-hist&context=G2b2f439AHTxYJ0wADAA
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