Welcome to Jill Hamming, a friend of mine from Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island, and a regular participant on this web page. She will share her reflections on the readings from Acts 20-23.
Scripture: Acts 21:1-16
Talk about courage! Paul has known for weeks that when he gets to Jerusalem he is facing pain and hardship. He also knows that God wants him to go there.
Agabus illustrates what is to happen. Many people try to dissuade Paul. They probably remind him of how much he is needed to evangelize and teach. He has other choices.
Paul is steadfast. He is obeying God, willing to suffer as he has so many times already, willing to give up his life for Jesus’ sake.
What am I willing to give up for Jesus? I say I would give my life for Him if He asked me, but He hasn’t yet. What then? How much time and effort will I put into what He has asked me to do? Will I stop wasting time on–line so I have more time to pray? Can I give up the new furniture and send the money for Bible translation. Will I swallow my pride and make peace with ______? Will I go spend time with that lonely person who is so difficult to be with and who smells so bad?
Oh God, please forgive me for spending too much time doing what I want to do. Make me as committed to You as Paul was. Change my heart to love people as You want me to love. Help me listen to Your voice and obey You no matter what other people say. Thank-you, Amen
OBSERVATION/APPLICATION:
Wow, reading this passage and these reflections (thanks Jill & Tony) reminds me again what wonderful, inspiring models the Lord has put in my life. The honesty, the commitment, the endurance, the desire to be sincere and serious Christ-followers. It is truly awesome. I am struck by the fact (again) that Paul is not deterred by fear, unlike me. I am often fearful, my imagination can go wild with all the possible things that could go wrong. I don’t need an Agabus to dramatize what will go wrong, my imagination does that all the time. But unlike Paul, it holds me back.
I am also struck by the fact that the people holding Paul back are his trusted friends, the people we normally turn to for advice when facing a major decision. EVERYONE is telling Paul not to go, yet Paul sees beyond their words to the Lord’s will. How can Paul be so sure that this is what God wanted? I am assuming it came out of his personal relationship with the Lord, his time alone with Him where the Lord made His purpose clear. And thinking about that, when have I spent that time alone with the Lord?
PRAYER:
Lord, fear comes from spending time (in my heart/mind) with the dangers; faith comes from spending time alone (in my heart/mind) with You. Help me to strengthen myself in You, in time alone with You. “You are my strength when I am weak…” Amen.
Although Paul knew what would happen to him in Jerusalem, he needed to go there because God wanted him to. A faithful disciple wants above all to please God. When we really want to do His will in our lives, then we need to accept everything that comes with it, even pain. ‘Your will be done” we pray in the Lord’s prayer. Living the Christian life is not painless. I myself must take up my cross and follw Him.
As Christ gave up His life for me, my whole life must be given to Kingdom service. I must give my whole life over to Him. Not my will but Yours be done. That’s how Jesus lived and that’s how I need to live as His disciple – complete and total submission to the will of God.
You are my strength when I am weak
You are the treasure that I seek
You are my all in all
Seeking You as a precious jewel
Lord, to give up I’d be a fool
You are my all in all
Taking my sin, my cross, my shame
Rising up again I bless Your name
You are my all in all
When I fall down You pick me up
When I am dry You fill my cup
You are my all in all