Acts 16:1-10 is the reading today, but I want to focus on 9-10.

And a vision appeared to Paul in the night; There stood a man of Macedonia, and prayed him, saying, Come over into Macedonia, and help us.

And after he had seen the vision, immediately we endeavoured to go into Macedonia, assuredly gathering that the Lord had called us for to preach the gospel unto them.

Paul and Silas were travelling together, when Paul had this vision, so they changed their plans and moved on, believing it was a calling and their duty to answer this prayer.

I’ve made numerous comparisons to this kind of answering to vocations in the past with regards to Pope Benedict, but this one is quite profound also. Once Paul realized that there were people struggling and needing of his help and counsel, he immediately changed plans in the interest of serving God more completely.

Much in the same way that Pope Benedict had prayed to not be elected Pope, but realized when he was that God had chosen that vocation for him and he should fulfill it to the best of his ability. We could all learn a lot from Paul and from Pope Benedict with regards to heeding calls to us when they’re made in our lives.

Source for reading: Biblegateway.com