Paul stayed on in Corinth for some time. Then he left the brothers and sisters and sailed for Syria, accompanied by Priscilla and Aquila. Before he sailed, he had his hair cut off at Cenchreae because of a vow he had taken. They arrived at Ephesus where Paul left Priscilla and Aquila. He himself went into the synagogue and reasoned with the Jews. When they asked him to spend more time with them, he declined. But as he left, he promised, “I will come back if it is God’s will.” Then he set sail from Ephesus. When he landed at Caesarea, he went up to Jerusalem and greeted the church and then went down to Antioch. (Acts 18:18-22)
Paul showed his dedication to God by taking the Nazirite vow: not having a haircut for a period of time (as well as praying, sacrificing, abstaining from alcohol, and not coming in contact with dead people) (See Numbers 6:2-21). He satisfied the vow for a period of time before he left Corinth, not after he made a change.
Like Paul we go through seasons—going to college, a new job, moving, having children, and/or retiring. If we follow Paul’s example and dedicate the next chapter of our life, or even a small upcoming event that makes us nervous, to God before it happens, we too can say, “It will happen according to God’s will.” And we will also sail away on a journey and return fulfilled to a safe place.
Father, I dedicate __________ to you. I praise You for giving me the power and presence of Your Holy Spirit as I encounter this event and travel its path. Let my will be Your will because you have arranged beneficial events and circumstances, and You will keep me safe. Thank you for loving me and being the perfect dad. In Jesus’ name, I pray, amen.
Happy Thanksgiving. Have a blessed day.
My will is not always God’s will. I can want something and pray about it, something that I feel is important. It doesn’t mean that God will see it the way I do. He knows the picture and plan for our whole lives. Something that we think might be good, could be horrible. I also believe that God doesn’t always answer prayers the way we think that He might because He wants us to preserver, work through things and face a challenge to make us grow. I believe that it is more like, let Your will, be my will.
Great comment, very well said. I love you, Sis, and hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving! Blessings and Love, Jody