I work from home sometimes. Other times I work in the office. Sometimes I am on the road to speak, attend a local FP board meeting, golf fundraiser, or coach a director. Sometimes I have a day with the family or a Sabbath to journal, read scripture, and the latest preacher book out there. How do I know what I am supposed to be doing that day? Under the premise of setting and reaching goals and objectives each year, I have the freedom and flexibility to structure a day, week, and sometimes month accordingly.
I was reading in Acts 16 this morning. I want to share with you a few verses and the questions that I wrote down following. Here is verse 35-40:
35 But when it was day, the magistrates sent the police, saying, “Let those men go.” 36 And the jailer reported these words to Paul, saying, “The magistrates have sent to let you go. Therefore come out now and go in peace.” 37 But Paul said to them, “They have beaten us publicly,uncondemned, men who are Roman citizens, and have thrown us into prison; and do they now throw us out secretly? No! Let them come themselves and take us out.” 38 The police reported these words to the magistrates, and they were afraid when they heard that they were Roman citizens. 39 So they came and apologized to them. And they took them out and asked them to leave the city. 40 So they went out of the prison and visited Lydia. And when they had seen the brothers, they encouraged them and departed.
Paul and Silas stood up for themselves, letting everyone know they were Romans and were treated unfairly. Notice in verse 39 that Paul and Silas didn’t share the gospel with them but instead just listened. In verse 40, Paul and Silas honored the request by departing town. How does it look for us as believers to live life and listen to God vs. listening to man? Did God tell Paul and Silas to leave town through the chief magistrates who were only reacting and scared? Shouldn’t Paul and Silas have had a better plan for their lives and better time management than that? Do these questions lead into ‘Many are the plans of man’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails’ or ‘Where God guides, God provides?’
Living in our world only able to see and hear and experience the moment, we are faced with these questions every day. Where is God laying the burden on your heart? Can you see the need for Hope in the lives of students at the schools? What is God calling you to do about it? How can you structure your day to influence the schools with the Good News of Jesus Christ?
In Christ,
Brad Schelling
