Time of obedience

“I don’t know what will happen to me in Jerusalem, but I must obey God’s Spirit and go there.” – Acts 20: 22

GOD may not work in our calendar years, but I nonetheless looked for a biblical chapter and verse that reflect our new year – 2022. One scripture stood out prophetically confirming much of what is apparent about Christian life at this time: in Acts 20:22 Paul tells us to “obey God’s Spirit” and carry on - whatever the consequences for us personally. Paul’s obeying of God’s Spirit was an inner compulsion, an undeniable urge, to share about “the “wonderful grace of God” (20:24) without knowing how it would impact his life. It was an act of faith, trusting God and His promises regardless of his own emotions. We must all be filled with doubt about what the coming year holds for us, collectively and individually. It is hard to see an upside to the future. That makes it a year for faith like Paul’s – we can’t see, we don’t know, we may fear, but we must trust God. We need to move every facet of our lives openly and without fear into obeying Christ and the Spirit He sent to guide and empower us. The Holy Spirit brings His knowledge and His peace to help us see the world as He sees it. He promises to tell us “great things” we may not otherwise be able to grasp. We don’t know what will happen in 2022, but we must obey God’s Spirit – and “go there” in trust.