The Unseen Hand of Providence
Have you ever stopped to think about the intricate chain of events that led you to hear the Gospel? Perhaps it was a chance encounter on a long flight, a church service, or a camp meeting. Whatever the circumstances, if you’re reading this from anywhere west of Asia, you owe a debt of gratitude to the divine guidance that directed the first missionaries to Europe.
A Detour to Europe
The first convert to Christianity in Europe was Lydia, a woman from Asia who had already been prepared to receive the truth. Ironically, the missionaries who shared the Gospel with her had initially planned to go to Asia, but God had other plans. Sometimes, closed doors can be just as mysterious as open ones. Yet, these missionaries obeyed, and their obedience led them to a group of women in Europe whose hearts were ready to receive the message.
A Ripple Effect of Faith
Lydia was among them, and she became the first person to hear the Gospel west of Asia. Her household soon followed, and then a slave girl was delivered from demon possession. A jailer’s life was transformed, and his household also came to faith. Before long, a church was established in Philippi, and the Gospel began to spread westward. Today, it has circled the globe.
God’s Sovereign Guidance
We often wonder about the why’s of God’s leading, but one thing is certain: His ways are higher than ours. Every step, every stop, is under His sovereign guidance. As someone once said, “God directs our ‘teps’… and our ‘tops.’” If you’ve heard the Gospel, you can thank God for the intricate sequence of events that brought it to you.
Obedience and Trust
While we may not always understand the why’s, we can rest assured that God’s plans are always greater and more loving than we could ever imagine. Our response? Obedience and trust. For in the end, it’s not about understanding the journey; it’s about following the One who guides us every step of the way.
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