In today’s passage, Paul and his companions are on their second missionary journey, departing from Antioch and heading west. They have chosen to take the land route this time to visit cities where they have preached and won converts to Christ.

Have you ever wondered how Paul decides where to go? With the whole world waiting to hear the good news, how does Paul know where to start?

Our reading today gives us a hint: The Holy Spirit comes to Paul in a dream and shows him a man from Macedonia standing and pleading with Paul to “come and help us!” Verse 10 says, “Immediately after he saw the vision, we prepared to leave for the province of Macedonia, concluding that God had called us to proclaim the good news to them” (ceb).

This passage makes clear that God can guide us in our decision-making if we open ourselves to God’s influence. God’s tools are various: Sometimes God presents the “open door”—the opportunity that comes our way. Sometimes God shows us the “closed door”—when circumstances change and we no longer can pursue a course of action. Sometimes God guides us through the word of a wise friend or a complete stranger. And God even comes to us in dreams as we sleep.

All these ways of divine direction rely on a common thread: Our willingness to seek and perceive God’s guidance and to be obedient to God’s leadership when it comes.

Paul and his companions “immediately” respond to God’s direction. What guidance from God do you need to respond to “immediately”? Be open, aware, and obedient.