He Welcomed All

Reading: Job 18; Psalm 114; Acts 27-28 30 For the next two years, Paul lived in his own rented house. He welcomed all who visited him, 31 proclaiming the Kingdom of God with all boldness and teaching about the Lord Jesus Christ. And no one tried to stop him. (Acts 28:30-31 NLT) Paul lived for two years in his own rented house awaiting his trial before Caesar. He wasn’t free to go out, but he was free to welcome others in. This was a very big change in ministry style for Paul the Apostle. His style had been to go first to a synagogue in each city he visited, then take his message to wherever people gathered. Now he could only preach to those who came to where he was. Paul welcomed all who visited him, proclaimed the Kingdom of God, and taught about the Lord Jesus Christ. The thing that really struck me this time as I read this part of the story is Paul’s unwavering commitment to his calling and his completely flexible approach to the method for getting it done! I think about this and I wonder about myself. Do I get so committed to or stuck with a particular method of doing things that I… 1) Keep on doing it the way I’ve always done it even if it isn’t working anymore? 2) Complain that I can’t do what God has called me to do because circumstances of age, stage, or situation prevent me from doing it the way I’m accustomed to or comfortable with? I believe this is an important thing for all of us to consider at this season. COVID, lockdowns, vaccinations, masks… there are so many things that could make us complain that we can’t do God’s work! Then let’s try something new! Let’s do what we can do, and not complain about what we can’t do! How about you? Is there any area of life or ministry that this applies to with you? Here’s what I’m praying for all of us… Prayer: Father, Please fill us with the same Spirit that filled and moved Paul to adjust and adapt and stay on mission in whatever city, situation, or circumstance he was in. I know I’m asking you to discomfort each of us to some degree to make this happen. Let us not be driven by comfortable patterns, the latest fads, or the loudest voices, but by the broadest and purest sense of your mission for each of us. May we be as clear on our task and as flexible in our approach as Paul. Amen.