And after the uproar was ceased, Paul called unto him the disciples, and embraced them, and departed for to go into Macedonia. ²And when he had gone over those parts, and had given them much exhortation, he came into Greece, And there abode three months. And when the Jews laid wait for him, as he was about to sail into Syria, he purposed to return through Macedonia. And there accompanied him into Asia Sopater of Berea; and of the Thessalonians, Aristarchus and Secundus; and Gaius of Derbe, and Timotheus; and of Asia, Tychicus and Trophimus. These going before tarried for us at Troas. And we sailed away from Philippi after the days of unleavened bread, and came unto them to Troas in five days; where we abode seven days.

Acts 20:1-6

There are different seasons of life. I just started teaching my first second generation student. He is SO precious and doing great, but I’m realizing that I’ve come into a new season of life. I love it, and I’m so thankful for moisturizer.

Although Scripture doesn’t just come out and say it, Paul is getting older and probably had some physical damage considering the beatings he took for the sake of the gospel. He had been “left for dead” too many times to not have some chronic aches and pain. Thankfully, he had Luke to accompany him.

This next passage does not give a lot of details of Paul’s adventures like the previous chapters. I imagine that the “much exhortation” comment was probably an understatement of Paul’s work in the churches. I imagine that he was like a mother sending off her kids to camp for the first time. (My friend, the camp director’s wife, still makes fun of me) Paul left Ephesus after all the chaos settled down and travelled to encourage (notice the “much exhortation”) the Macedonian churches. He then travelled to Greece and stayed for 3 months. Much to everyone’s surprise (I’m kidding) the Jews plotted against him. Instead of sailing to Syria, he returned through Macedonia again. This was definitely not a disappointment since he was able to have a bunch of his friends join him into Asia:  Sopater of Berea (probably Sosipater from Romans 16:21), Aristarchus (from Acts 19:29), Secundus (we don’t know anything about Secundus), Gaius from Derbe (also from Acts 19:29), Timothy (from Lystra, but we know Timothy. Timothy was already ministering in Macedonia in Acts 19:22 with Erastus), Tychicus and Trophimus from Asia (probably both from Ephesus. See Ephesians 6:21 and Acts 21:29). Of course, Doctor Luke is with Paul ministering to and with him (that is found in the word “us”).  They all rendezvoused at Troas after celebrating the Passover (the days of unleavened bread). Difficult sailing conditions caused them to have five days at sea instead of the usual two.

Our plans are never our own. It is always the Lord’s plan that will prevail. With all the world in fear mode, we all are experiencing change of plans right now. My nephew and his new bride planned a March wedding, which happened, and are still waiting to go on their honeymoon which has had to be moved 3 times. However, during our times of difficulties, the Lord often gives us family and friends to encourage us and hold us up in disappointing times. Who are your closest friends? Do they encourage you in the Lord, or do they hinder your walk? Choose your friends wisely because godly friends are truly a gift from God.

Written by Kaye Dee Richards. Kaye Dee lives with her husband Colin in Morrison, CO. They have 4 children, Joshua, Amelia, Victoria, and Julia.
To contact Kaye Dee, leave a comment, message us on Facebook or email comments@thebeautifulspirit.org