Have you ever assessed a situation and thought, “Why I am suffering this hardship? How could God let this happen? Why me? If I love God then why would He let this happen?” This morning I was reading in Acts 13 and 14 from the Chronological Bible. It tells us of the journeys of Paul and Barnabas as they went from city to city sharing the good news of the Gospel of Christ. These two men were doing exactly what God had commanded them to do; they devoted every waking moment to the task of preaching the salvation offered by Jesus’ death and resurrection. There are a plethora of life lessons to be learned from these two men in their journeys.
In Acts 13:49-51 we read:
“The word of the Lord spread through the whole region. But the Jews incited the God-fearing women of high standing and the leading men of the city. They stirred up persecution against Paul and Barnabas, and expelled them from the region. So they shook the dust from their feet in protest against them and went to Iconium. And the disciples were filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit.”
Did you comprehend the gravity of this event? These men were doing exactly what God commended them to do and they were run out of town by the “religious” people. They did not value their self-worth or their success or the response of the people. Instead, the clung to the importance of carrying out their God-given task…talking about Jesus. In fact, we are told that upon their forced departure from the city the disciples were filled with joy…but why? Why would they have been full of happiness and satisfaction when an angry mob of religious women and important men ran them off? Because they knew their purpose and that purpose had eternal meaning.
At the very next stop on their journey they continued to do the same things as before: telling the world about Jesus. However, this time the opposition actually escalated to deadly proportions. Not only were they run out of town, but they hurled rocks at Paul until they believed him to be dead and then dragged his lifeless body out of town. How discouraged would you be in your daily life if this had happened to you…and Paul was solely dedicated to telling people about Jesus instead of simply attending a worship service on the weekends. Miraculously, Paul was able to regain his strength and move on. He then returned to the towns that had run him out and stoned him and encouraged the disciples in those cities to remain true to the faith saying, “We must go through many hardships to enter the kingdom of God.” (Acts 14:22).
What hardships are you going through and how do they affect your relationship to God? How do your hardships compare to Paul’s? Please comprehend with me the totality of these events. Paul stays fully dedicated to a life-style of talking about Jesus while suffering attempted murder and being run out of town. Not only does this not discourage him, but he is filled with joy and returns to the very cities that ran him off and left him for dead. Is that how you and I respond to difficulties in our lives? Are we filled with joy and continue on our paths? If not, then why? Could it be that we have not found our relationship with Christ to be as critical as Paul did? Could it be that the purposes for which we live are less tied to eternity and more tied to the comforts of this world? Could it be that we feel we deserve a better life…while Paul was beaten to death? As we experience hardships in this life I pray that we will do this in perspective. If Paul dedicated his entire life to spreading the gospel and yet suffered like he did, can we really complain about our struggles? Can we seriously sit there and be mad at God for not taking care of us? Was the cross of Jesus Christ not enough for us? Do we love God based on what we hope He will do for us instead of what He has already done? I pray that we are challenged today to simply be still and know that He is God. May this be enough to motivate us to a life of sharing the news of Christ regardless of the challenges the day may bring.

Being able to trace God’s hand through any storm is truly one of life’s greatest blessings. Three weeks ago I found myself in the hunt for a new opportunity for ministry due to a series of layoffs at my current church stemming from a severe financial crisis. I cannot fully express at this time what has been rattling around in my head and prayer life over the past 21 days. However, God is present at every step.
This morning I awoke much like the previous few mornings; very early before the sun has begun to shine its light into the day. I awaken because I am restless. I awaken because something is stirring within me. I awaken…and then remember that my position as Singles Pastor has been eliminated. I try to drift back to sleep but my mind has already begun to churn about the days, weeks, and months ahead. Where will we go? What will we do? Will we have to move again after being here only 15 months? Will I continue being a Singles Pastor elsewhere? Will God use this time to change my role to an Associate or even Senior Pastor in another location? What will become of those we’ve grown to love here in the Phoenix Valley? How will my children fair in this process? Will Tracy and I have the energy to transition and start again in a new ministry elsewhere? The questions are constant and repeating in my mind. I have no choice…I must get out of bed; my mind is now fully engaged in the reality of the moment.

Explaination & Reflection

