Paul in Acts 21 was facing incredible life altering challenges and persecutions as he was moving closer and closer to Jerusalem. Everyone who knew what he knew, wanted him to avoid what was coming, but he interpreted it very differently. Instead of avoiding Jerusalem, he made Jerusalem his goal. He did not shy away from it, he steered directly into it. He did not do it alone though. Paul said “I am ready.” He lived “ready.” We see that living “ready” meant he gathered his strength from Christ... “I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength.” (Philippians 4:13) He also gathered strength from others. He wrote these words on the way to Jerusalem to the church at Rome... “When we get together, I want to encourage you in your faith, but I also want to be encouraged by yours.” (Romans 1:12) Are you honestly gathering strength from God? How about others? If you aren't, you know it and if you are, you know it. It’s never too late to start in fact I hope you will do it today.
The second thing was he trusted God...not for warm and fuzzy feelings, but for “His will be done” to be “good.” Listen, “good” is not a feeling, it’s... “good.” It’s what God does with something we have made a mess of or that others have dragged us into. It’s restoration and healing. It’s the other side of the pain you are experiencing right now.
I don't know if you are facing something you really need to be on the other side of and you are avoiding it like the plague and your friends are encouraging more of the same. If you are...rethink it. God may be telling you to make it your goal. It will take trust not doubt, but if I can’t trust God...well you and I both can finish that sentence. We can trust him to get me and you to the other side and make it “good.”
This coming Sunday is a special day...no I don’t mean Labor Day weekend. Take a look at the video link to see what I’m talking about.
We look forward to seeing you Sunday as we celebrate the goodness of God, experience Him and grow deeper in friendship.
Pastor Craig, Becky, Seth, Hannah and Riley the dog
P.S. You will have an opportunity to sign-up for a Life Group this weekend!
