“And he stayed a year and six months, teaching the word of God among them.” – Acts 18:12
Paul never knew how long he would stay in a place or when he would need to move on. He simply followed the cues of the situation and the guidance of the Holy Spirit. Usually, he didn’t stay very long before opposition built and crowds were mobilized against him. He would arrive, preach, help those who embraced Jesus begin to form churches, and leave when things got violent. He wasn’t afraid of this and it didn’t discourage him. This unpredictability was part of his mission.
In Corinth, however, God told him to stay despite rising opposition. While Paul never seemed to fear opposition that forced him to leave, it seems he may have feared staying. Nonetheless, the Holy Spirit made clear there were many in the city who needed to hear the good news of Jesus Christ. God protected Paul so he could stay in Corinth for a year and a half. He strengthened and encouraged Paul to stay, no matter what.
For us today, called to share Jesus with those we encounter in our lives, we must learn to follow God’s lead in the same way. Opposition, persecution, and seeming failure are likely if we’re faithfully following Jesus in word and deed. Don’t automatically assume they mean it’s time to give up, pack it in, and move on. Seek God’s will.
When is He calling you to persist with someone or some place that needs to hear about Jesus? When is He releasing you to move on? This isn’t an easy question! It must be a matter of prayer and fasting. Yearn to hear God’s voice on the matter before turning away from something or someone you believe God called you to. Nonetheless, be asking God the question – don’t just assume He never intends for you to move on. To follow Jesus is to live a life with more unpredictability than you might prefer. Nonetheless, this is the way of your Master, the way of those who came before you, and the way you’re called to walk today. Hold your plans loosely and seek God’s will!