Gleanings – When Leading is Following

Proper 12, Tuesday July 30, 2013

Acts 16:6-15

“And when they had come opposite Mysia, they attempted to go into Bithynia, but the Spirit of Jesus did not allow them.”

We tread where He has trod. We are always following. It takes humility to bring up the rear.

For whatever reason, the Spirit did not want Paul and Timothy to go to Asia. He forbade it. When, later on, they came close to Bithynia in Asia Minor, they considered disregarding the admonition. I mean it was so close. But the “Spirit of Jesus did not allow them.”

We are called to bear witness to the ends of the earth but always in the footsteps of another. The Spirit must be ahead of us. Perhaps he is creating venues. Perhaps he is tilling that soil might be receptive to seed. Perhaps the work He has to do is in us because we are not yet ready. Our work is following His plan.

Sometimes the best leadership is follow-ship. That is always the case in the Kingdom.