21
The Footsteps of Paul
Tim Savage47For this is what the Lord has commanded us:
“‘I have made you a light for the Gentiles,that you may bring salvation to the ends of the earth.’”
48When the Gentiles heard this, they were glad and honored the word of the Lord; and all who were appointed for eternal life believed. Acts 13
On this day 4 years ago I was on a tour of Greece, Italy and Turkey called the Footsteps of Paul. Today’s reading took me back to walking where Paul walked, making his experience more real in my mind. He was God’s prophet, but he was a stranger in a foreign land. He had to get up boldly in front of people he didn’t know and didn’t trust him, but his Lord and King had given him instructions. He spoke the Good News to cities and nations that had not yet heard about Jesus and because of that the world was changed. I vividly remember the Acropolis in Athens and the coliseum in Rome and so many of the beautiful and powerful places the tour took us, in fact, right now there are about 90 people from New Hope on that same tour.
I must take a lesson from Paul and learn from his courage and boldness, because while the gentiles received and accepted his message, the Jews were furious and plotted against him and Barnabas. This is not a new or original lesson, but one that bears repeating: many people will not accept our views and our beliefs, they will be angry and will come against us, but we must be courageous and bold and stand firm in the face of confrontation and adversity, but because of our efforts for God’s kingdom, people will be saved from certain eternal death. This goes back to our purpose; the reason we are here, there is so much more than just running on the treadmill of life. We don’t spend everyday working to make just enough money to go back to work the next day, no, we are here to spread the Good News of Jesus to those He has put in our life community, to point them to eternal life. That is our purpose and that gives meaning to our lives and in this way I can still walk in the Footsteps of Paul.
Dear Heavenly Father,
Thank You for the blessing of going on the tour. May I never forget the amazing sights and experiences. I want to use those lessons and memories to remind me of the important calling on my life to help bring others to You.
In Jesus name,
Amen
