Begin with two minutes of stillness and silence before God.
Being born in August, I was always a late bloomer and last to the table of life events. I was 16 when I got my driving learner’s permit, while all of my friends had seemingly been around the world in their vehicles with their fancy, unrestricted driver’s licenses. My mother drove a ’99 Chrysler Voyager at the time. I am sure you can picture a young 16-year-old in his prime, chomping at the bit to get behind the wheel of that beautiful stud. Let’s just say that had Brittany, my wife, had the opportunity to see me in that hot rod, we would have wed much sooner. While driving home one day, I had my father in the front seat, my mother in the middle seat, and my two younger brothers in the back seat. We approached a green light at a normal speed only to have it turn yellow. I have a decision to make. Do I open her up and see what that V6 thunder wagon can do to pass through the intersection before it turns red? Or do I just commit to stop completely and wait patiently for the next green light? Well, my mother, the rule follower, is pleading for option B, which would be to stop and wait for the next light. My father, on the other hand, is commanding option A. My brothers in the back are opting for option C, which is to live. I, the driver, was left fulfilling option A subsection b, which resulted in a ’99 Chrysler Voyager reaching max RPM and speed before coming to a complete stop in the middle of the intersection, while also causing slight urination of the pants of all involved.
In the first nine verses of chapter 17, we see Paul and the gang at it again. They are stirring the pot for all the right reasons. This message Paul was carrying was contrary to the decrees of Caesar. One of the most serious crimes in the Roman Empire was to acknowledge allegiance to any king but Caesar. I am reminded of the scripture referencing wealth. In Matthew 6:24, it says, “No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to one and despise the other.” Paul and company have clearly chosen one and only one master. I love his boldness and how he is not bothered by the repercussions of professing his allegiance to another king. Because he is the King of Kings, whom then shall I fear? Admittedly, living in America, we don’t often face the same persecutions as you would in other places. Nonetheless, we are to be bold in our profession and unashamed of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. For the one who paid it all, we owe it all. Don’t get caught in the intersection. We have been given the green light to go and make disciples of all nations.
Take two minutes to reflect in silence.