Acts 21:1-16
Reflect
One aspect that I love about our Christian faith is that it’s a family faith. There’s great emphasis on considering and honouring each other as brothers and sisters in Christ, and how we are all part of this journey in following Jesus. Regardless of culture, ethnicity, generation, or location, we are considered family through Jesus Christ. This is reflected in verse 5 when everyone accompanied the missionary team at the beach for their send off.
Since our faith is wonderfully interconnected with one another, it makes it that much harder when the people we love are led by God into difficult circumstances (vs12-13). One commentator wrote, “It is hard for a man to make a sacrifice which is going to be unpleasant for himself; it is even harder when the people whom he loves are going to be hurt by his action and plead with him to act differently. The grief displayed by Paul’s friends had the effect of pounding at his heart as they attempted to dissuade him.”
When God’s will is clear to us, we must continue to move forward despite the good intentions of our family. For some of us, this might look like applying to a program, moving cities, finding a new job, or talking to a family member.
Apply
How might God’s will be playing out in your life despite possible discomfort?
Pastor Nathanael
Pray
- Pray for our Prime Minister and Premier, Mayor Sohi, your MP, your MLA, and any other government officials God brings to your mind.
- Pray for Dave Schneider, our Youth and Worship Pastor and Erin Gibbard, Youth Ministry Associate.
- Pray for all our small group leaders.