Closed doors are not a failure, but signposts.
My life has taken many detours. When I graduated from law school, I thought I would be a lawyer, but I ended up moving to India instead. Then I married Cameron and served as the band manager for Yeshua Ministries until I became a full-time mom and am now an author. 🤷🏼♀️
Someone else who knows all about life’s detours is Paul.
In Acts 16, Paul embarks on his second missionary journey, and Timothy joins him. He is young, but dedicated. Together they travel through cities where congregations had previously been established. For them, it is a logical continuation of God's work.
But then something remarkable happens: the Holy Spirit prevents them from speaking in certain areas. Twice, plans are blocked. No explanation. No reason. The message is, simply, “not here.”
Until Paul has a vision at night: a man from Macedonia cries out, “Come over to Macedonia and help us.” (Acts 16:9). That is the breakthrough. The door that initially remained closed turns out to point towards Europe. But with a detour to Philippi.
In Philippi, they meet Lydia, an open-hearted businesswoman. Then Paul frees a slave from a divining spirit, which lands them in prison. And there, in the middle of the night, they sing songs of praise. After an earthquake and an open cell door, the jailer comes to faith.
One chapter. Three totally different people. One gospel.
God's guidance sometimes comes via detours. Closed doors are not a failure, but signposts.
Perhaps you also don't always understand why something doesn't go ahead. But remember: God is at work in the “no” as well.
Looking back, where in your life do you see that a closed door led you to something better?
