Day 34: Monday, April 8, 2019
19 Then some Jews came from Antioch and Iconium and won the crowd over. They stoned Paul and dragged him outside the city, thinking he was dead. 20 But after the disciples had gathered around him, he got up and went back into the city. The next day he and Barnabas left for Derbe.
21 They preached the gospel in that city and won a large number of disciples. Then they returned to Lystra, Iconium and Antioch, 22 strengthening the disciples and encouraging them to remain true to the faith. “We must go through many hardships to enter the kingdom of God,” they said.
What a Monday message.
Keep going. Keep on swimming. Tread on, friends and fellow disciples. Get up, brush it off as best you can, for you are still alive. Preach and teach while bruised and broken. Share the gospel while limping. Nurse your wounds as you nurse the lives of those around you. Remain true. Endure.
God, help me to let go of any ideas that this will be easy. Release us from a luxurious faith and give us strength to get back up and head to the next place. While we move as slowly and tenderly as we need to, assure us with Your presence that You walk with us.
2 Comments
Yesterday my mind and body said give up your active ministry. You are too old, too physically unhealthy, too depressed, too full of grief and pain. Today, the message comes from the Lord, hang in there; get up and go on; be faithful to the end. Yes, I shall. Thank you, lord; thank you, Chris!
God bless you, Eric. Thank you for your listening heart. And for the courage to name the things that haunt and hurt us. Praying for you today.