Life-Changing Decisions that Change the Lives of Others

Acts 13:1-3

　
　
I’d like to think that over the years I have become more mature when it comes to making decisions.

For instance, as a high school senior the reason that I decided to go to Michigan Tech had to do with a small plastic box of gemstones that my parents bought for me while on vacation. I was so taken by them, that I decided I wanted to become a geologist. My high school guidance counselor said that if I was going to be a geologist then the best school to go to was Michigan Tech. There you have it. Perfect reasoning. A decision that would affect the rest of my life based on a plastic box of gemstones.

In contrast to that, in 1985 I was considering a job change. We would be moving from Lansing, Michigan to one of three locations. After interviewing at each, I created an Excel spreadsheet with pros and cons. Each one was given a point value. When I totaled them all up, Columbus won. Another life changing decision only this time with a little more thought.

In today’s passage, the leaders of the church at Antioch were deep in a time of worship and fasting while searching for God’s guidance. Luke writes that the Holy Spirit said, "Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them". This was the beginning of Paul’s first missionary trip: one of many journeys’ that changed the face of the world and history.

Luke doesn’t explain whether the Holy Spirit spoke in an audible voice. It’s possible, but I’m thinking it could have happened like this:

Paul was a real go-getter. He would do anything to spread the Gospel of Jesus Christ. He easily could have had a desire to take the Good News to distant lands. Barnabas was an encourager. He would love to encourage Paul to take on such a big vision. One night before prayer Paul mentions his desire to Barnabas and he responds that it’s a great idea. So they pray with the others and fast and sense the Holy Spirit’s leading.

How does the Holy Spirit lead you to make decisions? Is it through a plastic box of gemstones or maybe an Excel spreadsheet? Or maybe He has given you a desire or a dream to do something. Don’t put God in a box. He can use anything that is in our lives to lead us to make life-changing decisions that change the lives of others.

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=acts%2013%3A1-3&version=NIV;MSG
http://www.biblegateway.com/audio/mclean/niv/Acts.13.1-Acts.13.3