There is More

But the following night The Lord stood by him and said: " be of good cheer, Paul; for as you have testified for Me in Jerusalem, so you must also bear witness at Rome." Acts 23:11

Paul had set his face toward Jerusalem but there was more. He was to go to Rome and preach the gospel, even in chains.

The Holy Spirit drew him on, empowered him and focused him. The Jews were determined to kill him and a group had bound themselves with an oath to not eat  or drink until he was dead. They would wait a long time as Paul lived on.

When I read about the Jews determined not to eat or drink until they had killed Paul showed zeal, misplaced zeal.

 In our own world we see young men strap dynamite to themselves because they believe that the people they are about to kill, along with themselves, are evil and they, for their efforts will live in a paradise tended to by vestal virgins. To us, their victims, this is crazy and misplaced but to them it is their passion and zeal.

Where is Christ in all this? His Spirit reaches out through Paul with a truth that will liberate. Yet Paul's words fall on deaf ears.

Did Paul wonder if this was the end? Or did a quiet desire to visit Rome still speak in his spirit?

So many times, the things that arise and threaten to take us out are annoying, noisy and empty of real power because the purposes of God are 'Yes' and 'Amen' for us who are in Christ. His rule is important, His ways are the paths of life. He is in charge and as we allow Him rule we live.

What is the Spirit of God wanting to do through you? Find it and follow it! Amen!