Proverbs 16:1-3 says,
The plans of the heart belong to man,
But the answer of the tongue is from the Lord.
2 All the ways of a man are clean in his own sight,
But the Lord weighs the motives.
3 Commit your works to the Lord
And your plans will be established.
In 1 Corinthians 16, Paul is letting God guide him regarding coming to visit them in Corinth. He says, “5 But I will come to you after I go through Macedonia, for I am going through Macedonia; 6 and perhaps I will stay with you, or even spend the winter, so that you may send me on my way wherever I may go. 7 For I do not wish to see you now just in passing; for I hope to remain with you for some time, if the Lord permits.” “If the Lord permits.” The Lord will determine how long he stays in Corinth.
Paul then continues: “8 But I will remain in Ephesus until Pentecost; 9 for a wide door for effective service has opened to me, and there are many adversaries.” The Lord has opened a door for ministry in Ephesus, the place he is writing this letter from, so the Lord is leading him to stay longer.
Where do you desire to minister? At work? At home? In your neighborhood? Across the street? Across the sea? Where is God opening doors for you right now? Pray that God will guide you. And then walk through that door.
Proverbs 16:1-3, 19:21, 20:24; Isaiah 20:31, 1 Corinthians 16:5-9