I know your deeds. See, I have placed before you an open door that no one can shut. He has a plan for your life, a purpose, a mission, a calling. I used the golf analogy of getting the ball in the fairway. Check it out here. I only know that in every city the Holy Spirit warns me that prison and hardships are facing me. It all begins with the prompting of the Holy Spirit. Let me give you a picture: prior to becoming a local pastor, I traveled full-time speaking at different churches.
I always flew with Delta and at their Salt Lake City hub, there was a special spot coming off the moving sidewalk where I could always catch a whiff like no other smell: Cinnabon. I would smell the warm rolls baking in the oven and suddenly know my life was about to be changed! My life would be better with icing! The next thing you know, you have this warm sticky icing filled goodness in your hand. Compelled, you know you have to go to Cinnabon even before you could see it. He will stir something in us.
Our senses will tell us, and the signs will point to it. We will be compelled. The word compelled literally means to be drug away with cords. So, the question is: What stirs you? What moves you? What compels you? I am compelled by the local church being the hope of the world. I am compelled by lost people, healthy marriages, healthy families, building better people. I am compelled by bringing the life-giving message of Jesus to the people of the I am compelled.
What stirs you? I am certain the next step is going to be uncertain. This is how God operates! He never gives you all the information. He is going to make you take a step of faith. I want to be a spiritual entrepreneur!
I want to jump, leap, blaze new ground, take risks! By not releasing all the information, it keeps us dependent on Him. Perhaps I will stay with you awhile, or even spend the winter, so that you can help me on my journey, wherever I go. I do not want to see you now and make only a passing visit; I hope to spend some time with you, if the Lord permits. But I will stay on at Ephesus until Pentecost, because a great door for effective work has opened to me, and there are many who oppose me.
