Alternate Endings
And a vision appeared to Paul in the night. A man of Macedonia stood and pleaded with him, saying, “Come over to Macedonia and help us.” ~ Acts 16:9
Have you ever wondered what your life would be like if you had made different choices? Maybe it was a decision you made, or maybe it was someone else’s choice that altered your world. In today’s passage, the apostle Paul had a vision in the night of a man calling him to come to Macedonia for help. This dream completely changed the direction of Paul’s ministry. He and his team were planning to go into Asia, but the Holy Spirit stopped them twice. Instead of pressing through and ignoring God’s leading, Paul obeyed, and his obedience led to the planting of churches in Europe. This decision had lasting effects that are still impacting the world today.
The Bible gives us other examples of alternate endings. Moses was content to live out his days on the back side of a mountain, but God called him to deliver His people from bondage. How different would his story have been if he had stayed there? Joshua had to wander in the wilderness forty extra years because others refused to obey God. Jonah chose to run in the opposite direction of God’s call, and his story could have ended very differently if not for God’s intervention. Over and over we see men and women of God face turning points. Their willingness to obey shaped not only their destiny but also the lives of others.
This inspires me because no matter how far Moses was from Egypt, no matter how far Jonah ran, or how long Joshua had to wait, God faithfully brought them back on course. His plan for their time on earth was fulfilled because they chose God’s way, even after failure or delay. That same grace is available to us today. I know in my own life there have been times I resisted God’s direction, only to realize later that I was delaying His best. Yet when I turned back to Him, He recalculated the course, and His mercy allowed me to walk forward again in His plan.
This passage reminds us that every one of us will come to those moments when we must choose. Sometimes we do not even realize we are standing face to face with a divine invitation. The choice we make matters, and God will always be faithful to lead us when we surrender to Him.
Here are some steps to take to get you on track with God’s best:
- Ask God in prayer to show you if there are places where you resisted His direction. Be willing to listen and adjust quickly.
- Repent quickly when you realize you have stepped away from His leading. God always provides grace to return.
- Stay sensitive to the Holy Spirit through daily time in the Word and prayer. This helps you recognize His voice.
- Choose obedience in small things. Obeying in daily steps builds faith for larger decisions.
- Persevere when others’ decisions have delayed or hindered you. Trust God’s timing and keep your heart ready.
- Believe that God can redeem lost time and restore you to His purpose, just as He did with Moses, Jonah, and Joshua.
Today I want to encourage you that God is the Master of alternate endings. If you feel like you have missed your opportunity or that someone else’s choices have kept you from God’s best, remember He is able to redirect, restore, and complete His purpose in you. He has not forgotten you, and He goes before you to prepare the way. Stay open to His voice, repent when needed, and persevere in faith, because His plan is always greater than anything you could imagine.
Today’s scripture reading: Acts 16:6-10
6 Now when they had gone through Phrygia and the region of Galatia, they were forbidden by the Holy Spirit to preach the word in Asia.
7 After they had come to Mysia, they tried to go into Bithynia, but the Spirit did not permit them.
8 So passing by Mysia, they came down to Troas.
9 And a vision appeared to Paul in the night. A man of Macedonia stood and pleaded with him, saying, “Come over to Macedonia and help us.”
10 Now after he had seen the vision, immediately we sought to go to Macedonia, concluding that the Lord had called us to preach the gospel to them.
Journal:
- Have I ever resisted God’s leading, and what was the result?
- Where do I sense God may be redirecting me now?
- How can I take one step of obedience today that moves me closer to His purpose?
The Daily Dose 