Imagine living every day on a quest that is larger than you, larger than life, a journey so dramatic your life is at risk every moment, but you see visions of heaven and the life to come. You understand scripture, life on earth, and life in heaven better than anyone. Jesus is the center, but daily he reminds you that you were chosen to play an incredible role. Such was Paul’s experience. To call it “intense” would be an understatement. Frequently God warned Paul of danger, and Paul shrugged it off:
“I know not what I will encounter, except that in town after town the Holy Spirit testifies to me that chains and afflictions await me” Acts 20:22-23. Later Luke reports, “we found some disciples… and through the Spirit they told Paul not to go to Jerusalem” Acts 21:4 (but Paul continued). In Caesarea, “a prophet named Agabus … took Paul’s belt, tied his own feet and hands, and said, ‘the Holy Spirit says in the same way the Jews will bind the man who owns this belt,’” (vv.10-11) and everyone begged Paul not to go. But he said, “Why are you weeping and breaking my heart? I AM READY NOT ONLY TO BE BOUND BUT TO DIE in Jerusalem” Acts 21:13.
If God said to me, ‘if you go to Jerusalem, you will be arrested,’ I would assume He meant ‘DON’T GO.’ But Paul knows differently—God is warning him to prepare him, but not to stop him. So Paul went to Jerusalem, was arrested, jailed, and when things looked bad, Jesus appeared with hope:
“The Lord stood by him and said, ‘Take courage! For as you have testified about Me in Jerusalem, so you must also testify in Rome’” Acts 23:11.
And the adventure continued.
Jesus, deepen our walk with you. Use us to reach others. Give us courage to face persecution. Help us love your word, know your voice, seek your face. Make us love you more every day. Thank you for the ADVENTURE of following you.
ΑΩ
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