The Calling of God

Acts 17:10-14

“10 That very night the believers sent Paul and Silas off to Beroea; and when they arrived, they went to the Jewish synagogue. 11 These Jews were more receptive than those in Thessalonica, for they welcomed the message very eagerly and examined the scriptures every day to see whether these things were so. 12 Many of them therefore believed, including not a few Greek women and men of high standing. 13 But when the Jews of Thessalonica learned that the word of God had been proclaimed by Paul in Beroea as well, they came there too, to stir up and incite the crowds. 14 Then the believers immediately sent Paul away to the coast, but Silas and Timothy remained behind. 15 Those who conducted Paul brought him as far as Athens; and after receiving instructions to have Silas and Timothy join him as soon as possible, they left him.”

Paul had been imprisoned in Philippi, fled Thessalonica in the dark of night for fear of his life, and once again, in Beroea, he preached the gospel in a synagogue.  Paul was many things, but he was not afraid to speak God’s word, even in the most dangerous of situations.  Most of us would have abandoned a mission whose end was to surely result in our deaths.  Not Paul.

Paul once wrote to the Philippian Church these words that still stir us today: “Brothers, I do not count myself to have attained, but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press towards the goal to the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 3:13-14)

Paul pressed ever forward, led by the Holy Spirit, inspired by the Gospel of Christ, ever trusting in God’s call for his life.

May the love of Christ be with you,

Rev. Eric Lanier (Retired)