They went through the region of Phrygia and Galatia, having been forbidden by the Holy Spirit to speak the word in Asia. When they had come opposite Mysia, they attempted to go into Bithynia, but the Spirit of Jesus did not allow them; so, passing by Mysia, they went down to Troas. During the night Paul had a vision: there stood a man of Macedonia pleading with him and saying, "Come over to Macedonia and help us."  – Acts 16:6-9 (NRSVU)

Sometimes, we are prevented and forbidden to go the way we are going or head the way we are heading.

We are divinely diverted from our path. It is not always about avoidance. It is not always negative. Frequently, it is the divine design to keep us available to hear a cry for help.

From c. 390 – 460 a Celtic Briton lived by the name of Patrick. Little is known of his life apart from legend and some rudimentary facts.

One is that he was a missionary and took the message of Jesus to Ireland for the first time. Many came to Christ and he became their bishop.

The other “fact” we know of his life is that he reported receiving an extraordinary call. He heard the cries of the people of pagan Ireland to come and bring them the message of Jesus.

He wrote:

“I saw a man coming, as it were from Ireland. His name was Victoricus, and he carried many letters, and he gave me one of them. I read the heading: "The Voice of the Irish". As I began the letter, I imagined in that moment that I heard the voice of those very people who were near the wood of Foclut, which is beside the western sea—and they cried out, as with one voice: "We appeal to you, holy servant boy, to come and walk among us”

It calls to remembrance another such call. Paul had a vision and it was the representative of a people in distress. They had been praying for someone to come and God had someone in mind.

"Come over and help us" was the cry of the Macedonian and it is still a call that resonates in a world of dark confusion and bitter loneliness. Come and help a people who have never heard, a people who are groping for answers, a people for whom Jesus has already come and given His life.

St., Patrick’s Day is a fun holiday for the Irish, a religious celebration for Catholics, a time of revelry for drinkers, and a time of mission awareness for believers everywhere. Thousands responded to Paul’s message and to Patrick’s.

The world is waiting to hear yours.