And they went through the region of Phrygia and Galatia, having been forbidden by the Holy Spirit to speak the word in Asia. And when they had come up to Mysia, they attempted to go into Bithynia, but the Spirit of Jesus did not allow them.
Acts 16:6-7
Every time I hear this passage from the Acts of the Apostles I am perplexed.
The Spirit of Jesus did not allow them? Why would God send the Apostles to the ends of the world, and then attach itinerary restrictions?! It turns out, however, that in teaching them humility and obedience, God would sometimes sway the apostles from one direction to another. Perhaps this was for their own safety.
The early Church had to be sensitive to the urging of the Holy Spirit. A few verses later in Acts, Paul receives a vision of a man urging him to come help in Macedonia. This would become their next destination!
We may not be getting ghostly visitations in such a deep spiritual manner. But we may occasionally hear news of someone in need of assistance. Such a call may prompt our response.
But like Paul and the apostles, we face barriers. Every time I brave a visit to a market wrapped tightly in a scarf, I am reminded of the eerie feeling of strangeness and threat in a seemingly common errand. The social distancing creates barriers between people that are much, much further than six feet apart. It makes it impossible to see people smile at us in a courteous manner and to see their beautifully created faces that reflect God’s mystery. It’s even hard to look in each other’s eyes alone and not sense anxiety lurking within.
How then to venture into the public areas, masked as we are, and proclaim the good news that God sees and loves us as we are? Where do we gain the power to be both vulnerable and yet very smart and brave dealing with this pandemic?
If only the Holy Spirit would be the one and only source of our everyday confidence. Indeed, the Spirit will! Come, Good Paraclete... Wonderful Counselor, come! With your prompting may we open ourselves to others. As the old saying goes: “dance like nobody’s watching; love like we’ve never been hurt. Sing like nobody’s listening; live like it’s heaven on earth.” Life is a great adventure indeed.
God bless you!
Edyta
