【双语灵修】跨文化：遵循神的指引INTERCULTURAL: FOLLOWING GOD’S DIRECTION

使徒行传 16:6-10

圣灵既然禁止他们在亚细亚讲道，他们就经过弗吕家、加拉太一带地方。 到了每西亚的边界，他们想要往庇推尼去，耶稣的灵却不许。 他们就越过每西亚，下到特罗亚去。 在夜间有异象现于保罗：有一个马其顿人站着求他说：“请你过到马其顿来帮助我们！”保罗既看见这异象，我们随即想要往马其顿去，以为神召我们传福音给那里的人听。

九月二十四日

跨文化：遵循神的指引

“保罗既看见这异象，我们随即想要往马其顿去 ……。” - 徒 16:10

回顾我的一生，我看到神打开一扇门，又关闭一扇门，把我带到今天的位置。在这条路上，我经历过失望，但也有很大的惊喜。当时虽然看不到，如今我才能比较清楚看到，神是如何引导我。当你回顾你的一生时，你是否也同样会看到神的指引呢？

在今天所读的经文中，从保罗和他的同行者所经历的事件，我们可以看见神的指引。保罗和他的团队正在一个重要的跨文化宣教旅程中，他们要把福音带到一些在罗马帝国中具策略性的国家和地区，他和同行者曾经尝试前往亚西亚地区（即今天土耳其的一部分），但圣灵阻止他们，他们便改变方向。到了庇推尼的边界时，又发生同样的事。

那天晚上，保罗看见一个异象，有一个人恳求他来马其顿。于是这些宣教士便往那里去，神就在腓立比为他们打开了一扇非比寻常的门。

这段经文挑战我去密切关注神的引领。神呼召我更刻意去爱那个邻居或同事？我能否感觉到圣灵在召唤我走过马路，或跨越文化界限，或越过海洋，去跟从和相信祂的引领？

祷告

亲爱的神，我渴望能够有像保罗那样得到祢的清晰指示，求祢帮助我相信祢在催促我来跟随祢，往祢要我去的地方和与人建立的关系，把祢的爱带到那里。阿们。

Acts 16:6-10

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 24

INTERCULTURAL: FOLLOWING GOD’S DIRECTION

After Paul had seen the vision, we got ready at once to leave for Macedonia. . . . —Acts 16:10

Looking back on my life’s journey, I see a series of doors that God opened and closed to bring me where I am today. Along the way, I experienced not only disappointments but also some great surprises. Though I didn’t always see it at the time, I can see more clearly now how God was guiding me. As you reflect on your life, I wonder if you can see God’s direction in similar ways?

We can see God’s direction at work in the episode that Paul and his companions experienced in our reading for today. Paul and his team were on a significant intercultural missionary journey, bringing the gospel to strategic countries and regions in the Roman Empire. He and his companions had tried to go to the province of Asia (part of present-day Turkey), but the Holy Spirit stopped them, and they changed course. Then, at the border leading into Bithynia, the same thing happened.

That night, Paul had a vision in which he saw a man begging him to come to Macedonia. So the missionaries went there, and God opened a remarkable door for them in Philippi.

I find myself challenged by this passage to pay close attention to God’s leading. What neighbor or coworker or friend is God calling me to love more intentionally? Can I sense that the Spirit is beckoning me to cross the street or a cultural boundary or an ocean to follow and trust his leading?

Dear God, I long to have the clarity that you gave to Paul in this episode. Help me to trust that you are urging me to follow you into places and relationships where I can bring your love. Amen.