We went on ahead to the ship and sailed for Assos, where we were going to take Paul aboard. He had made this arrangement because he was going there on foot. When he met us at Assos, we took him aboard and went on to Mitylene. The next day we set sail from there and arrived off Chios. The day after that we crossed over to Samos, and on the following day arrived at Miletus. Paul had decided to sail past Ephesus to avoid spending time in the province of Asia, for he was in a hurry to reach Jerusalem, if possible, by the day of Pentecost.

–Parallel verses:
‭‭1 Corinthians‬ ‭1‬:‭4‬-‭9‬
I always thank my God for you because of his grace given you in Christ Jesus. For in him you have been enriched in every way—with all kinds of speech and with all knowledge— God thus confirming our testimony about Christ among you. Therefore you do not lack any spiritual gift as you eagerly wait for our Lord Jesus Christ to be revealed. He will also keep you firm to the end, so that you will be blameless on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is faithful, who has called you into fellowship with his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.

As I read this travelog, I am impressed at the rigorous schedule that Paul kept visiting the different cities along the way to Jerusalem. He stayed very active in his travels. We don’t know why he chose, for example, to travel on foot to Assos. Was it to meet with some friends along the way? Maybe God had put some divine appointments in his path? Or maybe he needed some chunk-time in solitude with the Lord Jesus?

He was also a devout Jew, and so he wanted to be in Jerusalem at Pentecost. (Pentecost is an important holiday for the early church, when God gave the Holy Spirit as flames of fire to the disciples and they began to speak in all different tongues.) And so he balances his desire to spread the gospel with his personal faith needs here. And we find in some later verses in Acts, that God’s Spirit was calling him into danger in Jerusalem. More needed to be encouraged and heard the gospel.

Sometimes we need to recharge with God in solitude. Other times, we follow his lead, to future events unknown. God is faithful to take us through times of intensely hard work schedules, persecution, or whatever the earthly circumstance is! He has enriched us in every way!

I love the parallel passage here, as Paul confirms to me what God has been teaching me: God has given us the spiritual gift of a relationship with Jesus and and all other spiritual gifts flow from that relationship and are granted as we serve him at just the right time and in the right way. I do not need to worry about what my spiritual gifts are. I just need to love well and receive and display the fruit of the spirit each day. He will gift me as he chooses.

What is it I need to do to draw close to God today? Take some time in solitude? Obey his call to fellowship with other believers, and/or travel into hostile territory to spread the gospel? Or support those who do these things while faithfully serving in my local church?

Lord, I am listening. Speak to my heart and move me in the direction of your Spirit’s work today. Make my heart pure, my eyes open to see your opportunities, and my feet ready to follow you wherever you lead!