Enduring Through Success

Introduction — Success for the Select Few

Although we are all unique and with our own dreams to chase, even if that dream is simply to find that dream, most would agree that delays and bumps in the road are part of life. This also isn’t necessarily a bad thing, but it does require us to seek out constant motivation so that we can keep on going. At times it can be very discouraging to constantly reassess how or why we need to continue a set path. For some, this comes more naturally, while for others it is the hardest part of life.

In working through the book of Acts, I believe one of the greatest examples of this, although there are many more, one of the greatest examples of perseverance and a focused mindset is Paul. More specifically in Chapter 14. It is here where I feel reminded that once we figure out how to practically live out what we say we believe theoretically, life will be lived on a whole new level. The type of life we so easily think of is only for the select few. Yet today I want to encourage you to know that this is not the case, if we learn from Paul’s life and accept the truth I feel God wants to share with us all, greatness is available to all who choose it.

Context

Acts thus far has shown how the church developed from a small group of believers, sharing the message of salvation with those around them, to a group that through hardship and persecution managed to give hope to thousands regardless of what was going on in their own lives. We need to understand that when the first persecution started and they were forced to move because of fear for their lives, it would have been the easiest thing in the world to give up or to lose hope. But this group of believers took their hope with them and once they arrived at wherever it was where they moved to they started sharing the same message that indirectly caused them to moved in the first place. They understood that the hope they shared was greater than any hardship they were encountering in the here and now.

Moving on, the church eventually got to a point where they felt moved and ready to send out intentional and dedicated missionaries to share the message with those still lost. Through the word of the Holy Spirit, Paul and Barnabas set out on the journey that had both great results and great opposition and seen in Acts chapter 13. At the end of chapter 13, we however see a good example of knowing when to move on in a godly manner. After having done all they could and having shared all they could they moved on on their journey, ready to continue sharing with all who God appointed on their way. Continuing from Acts 14:1

The Journey Goes On

And it came to pass in Iconium, that they went both together into the synagogue of the Jews, and so spake, that a great multitude both of the Jews and also of the Greeks believed. But the unbelieving Jews stirred up the Gentiles, and made their minds evil affected against the brethren. Long time therefore abode they speaking boldly in the Lord, which gave testimony unto the word of his grace, and granted signs and wonders to be done by their hands. But the multitude of the city was divided: and part held with the Jews, and part with the apostles. And when there was an assault made both of the Gentiles, and also of the Jews with their rulers, to use them despitefully, and to stone them, They were ware of it, and fled unto Lystra and Derbe, cities of Lycaonia, and unto the region that lieth round about: And there they preached the gospel.
Acts 14:1–7 KJV

The Gravity of the Situation

As we read our Bibles, I feel we constantly need to remind ourselves of the reality of the situations we are reading about. Reflecting on how Paul and Barnabas must have felt when they were so unwelcome that the people wanted to kill them is not something I think we can generally relate to. However, they kept true to their objective, staying motivated and continued with what they felt called to do.

And there sat a certain man at Lystra, impotent in his feet, being a cripple from his mother’s womb, who never had walked: The same heard Paul speak: who stedfastly beholding him, and perceiving that he had faith to be healed, Said with a loud voice, Stand upright on thy feet. And he leaped and walked. And when the people saw what Paul had done, they lifted up their voices, saying in the speech of Lycaonia, The gods are come down to us in the likeness of men. And they called Barnabas, Jupiter; and Paul, Mercurius, because he was the chief speaker. Then the priest of Jupiter, which was before their city, brought oxen and garlands unto the gates, and would have done sacrifice with the people. Which when the apostles, Barnabas and Paul, heard of, they rent their clothes, and ran in among the people, crying out, And saying, Sirs, why do ye these things? We also are men of like passions with you, and preach unto you that ye should turn from these vanities unto the living God, which made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and all things that are therein: Who in times past suffered all nations to walk in their own ways. Nevertheless he left not himself without witness, in that he did good, and gave us rain from heaven, and fruitful seasons, filling our hearts with food and gladness. And with these sayings scarce restrained they the people, that they had not done sacrifice unto them.
Acts 14:8–18 KJV

The Contrast

At this point, it almost feels like a complete contrast to where they just came from. The cities before this disapproved of the message they were preaching so much that they wanted to stone them and here they misunderstood the message so much they thought they were gods. I think we can so often forget that at this point, they could have easily lost hope and feel like they just couldn’t win.

And there came thither certain Jews from Antioch and Iconium, who persuaded the people, and, having stoned Paul, drew him out of the city, supposing he had been dead. Howbeit, as the disciples stood round about him, he rose up, and came into the city: and the next day he departed with Barnabas to Derbe.
Acts 14:19–20 KJV

Where We Get Lost

We read stories and events like this and it is so easy for us to simply expect events like this because we are reading the Bible and reading about those who are strong in the faith. But I feel we need to take a moment to realize what just happened. Paul was just stoned by a group of people wanting to kill him in one of the most painful ways they could think of. I am not sure we can truly understand the gravity of the situation.

• Can we truly understand how angry this crowd was for them to physically and as a group try and kill someone and then drag his body across the rocky ground out of the city for the vultures?
• Can we even begin to imagine the pain Paul must have gone through physically as builders were being hurled at him out of pure hate for the message he knows can save them?
• Then simply getting up and continuing what he set out to do because he knew his mission was so much more powerful than what he was going through as an individual.

And when they had preached the gospel to that city, and had taught many, they returned again to Lystra, and to Iconium, and Antioch, Confirming the souls of the disciples, and exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God. And when they had ordained them elders in every church, and had prayed with fasting, they commended them to the Lord, on whom they believed. And after they had passed throughout Pisidia, they came to Pamphylia. And when they had preached the word in Perga, they went down into Attalia: And thence sailed to Antioch, from whence they had been recommended to the grace of God for the work which they fulfilled. And when they were come, and had gathered the church together, they rehearsed all that God had done with them, and how he had opened the door of faith unto the Gentiles. And there they abode long time with the disciples.
Acts 14:21–27

Gaining Understanding

It should be noted at this point that if we look at a map of their journey, the next city on route before they turned around to go back and encourage the new believers was Paul’s home town, Tarsus. Personally, it makes all the sense in the world to me for them to have at least take some time off after the events to find some peace and rest before continuing with their journey at a place where no one was trying to kill them. Yet Paul and company chose to put others before themselves and disregard fear altogether in making sure they go back to the newly planted churches before going back to where their journey started, Antioch.

I find it awe-inspiring that when they got back they saw their mission as completed and that they marvelled about how God had worked through them. Please do not get me wrong, I firmly agree with them, but I also know that my idea of a successful missionary journey from the get-go is not one where the missionaries are killed and chased out. But you see Paul understood something, we get wrong most of the time. Paul and the writer Luke did not gauge the success of the trip according to their reception or comfort on their trip. They gauged their success on the instruction given by God and allowed the results to be up to God.

Their instruction was to go out and preach the gospel, which is what they did to the best of their ability and reliance on Him. That is what God required of them, but what we do is we add vat to what God asks of us, we expect that they should have gone out and converted the whole world and things to have gone smooth. Maybe it is just me, but very often I judge whether something is going according to God’s plan according to my expectation of how I think things should have gone. Yet this is not what God said. We need to understand that God has a completely different way of working in the world and at all times respects out free-will. Meaning that He will never force Himself on those who choose not to accept Him.

New Understanding

Practically in our own life, we can take this on and realise that when we evaluate whether we are in God’s will or not we need to reflect on the message given to us and make sure we did not add added conditions to what God called us for. If we simply follow Him, all will be well. This does not mean that we will not suffer opposition or discomfort, but it does mean that we will be staying within God’s will. The rest is up to Him. Paul very wisely understood that we might be the ones to plant the seed or even to water the seed, but only God can make the seed grow. Then once we understand this and make this practically part of our lives, will we find peace in God and realise that our final comfort is only truly destined for the life to come. For now, it is about placing God and His people, those yet to join the family, above ourselves. Everyday.