February 17, Not Far Away
Today’s Journey Through Acts excerpt is:
Not Far Away
By now we see that the early church is on a constant roller coaster of soaring highs and searing lows. They are seeing the miraculous take place daily, and at the same time, being imprisoned. Early in chapter seventeen, we find a disciple named Jason being drug into a mock hearing befroe the city authorities where they were fined for their crimes. Specifically, they were accused of "Turning the world upside down". I would love to be known as a disciple or a church that could be accused of turning our world upside down!
In each city, these events would replicate. They'd preach, the Holy Spirit would move, and eventually they would be forced to the next city. As repeatable as the scenario is becoming, we will notice a nuance in the presentation of the Gospel in each location. Specifically, Paul was a master at contextualizing the message of Jesus. When he stood before Pharisees, he would recall the events and prophecies of the Old Testament. In today's journey through Acts, we find Paul in Athens, Greece. This city was an epicenter of philosophy, intellect and out-of-the-box thinkers. Luke sums it up in verse twenty-one:
"Now all the Athenians and the foreigners who lived there would spend their time in nothing except telling or hearing something new."
Paul had their number. He was in touch with the Spirit and he had already received the inspiration for his next sermon:
"For as I passed along and observed the objects of your worship, I found also an altar with this inscription: ‘To the unknown god.’ What therefore you worship as unknown, this I proclaim to you."
He quickly and effectively articulated the God who they had desperately wanted to know, but had never recognized. many times I am guilty of this same fault in my life. God is at work. I experience it, and yet I just don't recognize it. That day, as Paul preached, some were convinced, some were converted, some were entertained, and some were indifferent. However, they had all had the Gospel preached to them and been given an opportunity to respond.
I hope that our journey through Acts has given you some inclination to recognize the moving of the Spirit in your life. If not, today is a good opportunity to seek God for the discernment to recognize the activity of God happening all around you. As Paul states in verse twenty-seven, I believe that when we start actively looking for Him we will find that "he is actually not far from each one of us".
Reflect on the journey:
Think back to your prayer time over the last days and weeks. Do you notice a pattern or direction that God seems to be speaking to you? Sometimes we miss the consistency of what God is saying in individual moments, but when we look back it may be a flashing sign of direction.
Through your prayer time today:
In 2 Kings 6:17 Elisha prays for his servant in the midst of a difficult situation:
2 Kings 6:17 (ESV)
17 Then Elisha prayed and said, “O Lord, please open his eyes that he may see.” So the Lord opened the eyes of the young man, and he saw, and behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha.
Take a moment to pray that same prayer. Lord, open our eyes so that we can see the work of the Spirit happening all around us.
