But the
Lord said to Ananias, “Go! This man is my chosen instrument to proclaim my name
to the Gentiles and their kings and to the people of Israel. I will show him
how much he must suffer for my name.” Acts 9:15-16 (NIV)
Are you discouraged with your faith right now and ready to quit? Before giving up consider Saul of Tarsus. If anybody had a good excuse for walking away it was this man.
After Saul’s
Damascus Road conversion (Acts 9:3-8) Jesus sent a believer named Ananias to
him to encourage and pray for him and commission him to ministry to both Jew
and Gentile. Christ Himself would tell him what his calling to serve Him would
cost. There is no account of Saul’s response to that conversation with the Lord,
outside of the historical evidence of his faithful commitment to it. Saul
became Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God (Eph. 1:1).
Paul made
three missionary journeys during his lifetime, traveling through the Middle
East, Asia Minor (currently Turkey) and Europe. From AD 46 to AD 63 it is
estimated he traveled 10,000 miles preaching Christ and planting churches and
giving the witness of Christ before kings and emperors. It is amazing to think in
those years of ministry Paul and his companions covered those miles mostly on
foot with some by sea, but all under great hardship.
Paul gives
an account of the things he endured in his obedience to Christ’s call. He was
whipped five times by the Jews receiving 195 lashes (40 lashes x 5, save 1 for
mercy), beaten three times with rods, stoned and left for dead (Acts 14:19),
shipwrecked three times, and spent a night and a day in the open sea. He was
constantly on the move being in danger from rivers, Jews, and Gentiles, and in
danger in both city and country. In addition, he was in danger from false believers.
He recounted
times of intensive labor and toil, going long periods without sleep, and suffering
without food or drink and being cold and naked. Besides everything else there
was the pressure of his concern for all the churches (2nd Cor.
11:24-28).
He would
eventually be beheaded for his faith at the command of Nero. Paul realized what
was coming and said he had fought the good fight, finished the race, and kept
the faith. He had the assurance that Christ, the righteous judge, had a crown
of righteousness in store for him and all who longed for His appearing (2nd
Tim. 4:6-8). He was ready to lay down his life in the service and calling of
Christ.
Paul was the
person for the job and Jesus knew he would do it. Paul emphasized that faith is
dependent not on human wisdom but on the Power of Christ (1st
Cor.2:4-5). Everyone has a calling, whether it is a bully pulpit with thousands
of people or a weekly blog of only a few. Stresses and doubts will come and we
might be tempted to throw in the towel, yet in service He exalts the humble
(Matt. 23:11-12).
Sometimes the
results of simple obedience are not readily seen, or ever in our lifetime, but
as we receive our rewards from the hand of Christ perhaps the people our
obedience touched will be the witness of the power that was evident in our
work. How wonderful it would be to hear our Lord say to us on that day, “These
witnesses are here because of the encouragement you gave them when they needed
it. Well done, good and faithful servant!”
Whatever His
call on your life, His strength will sustain you, whether it is walking 10,000
miles or giving a person a cup of cold water (Matt. 10:42). Whatever it is, be
faithful. Grow and be fragrant where Christ plants you.
Paul’s
encouragement to the Christians in the Galatian church is appropriate to our
day: “And let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we
will reap a harvest if we do not give up” (Gal. 6:9). Hold fast to your faith.
No matter if He asks a little or a lot, all He asks is all He requires. He is
faithful, too.
Maranatha,
Ken
