Incredible insight from a friend...

Ok, I've made a commitment to post something everyday and I've already done so today but I got this cool email from a friend of mine and fellow India mission trip (this summer in July) team member that I really wanted to share. I asked her if I could post it as a blog and she said "sure". Thanks Christina...here's her email from earlier today that she sent to our ten team members:

28Then Agrippa said to Paul, "Do you think that in such a short time you can persuade me to be a Christian?"

29Paul replied, "Short time or long—I pray God that not only you but all who are listening to me today may become what I am, except for these chains."

30The king rose, and with him the governor and Bernice and those sitting with them. 31They left the room, and while talking with one another, they said, "This man is not doing anything that deserves death or imprisonment."

32Agrippa said to Festus, "This man could have been set free if he had not appealed to Caesar."



Acts 25:28-32



I was going to text this to you guys, but I figured it would be like 10 messages, so I thought it would be easier to type...



I was reading this this morning, been reading Acts 24-26 little by little and thinking it over. I realized something this morning. In the preceding text, Paul has just spent 2 years in prison with no decision on the charge of him being a troublemaker and a leader in this new sect called, "The Way." Each time that Paul presented his defense over the course of 2 years, he was able to share the truth of the gospel to high officials in the Roman court. And although his freedom seemed imminent, his appeal to Caesar guaranteed not only more jail time or death but it also guaranteed that the Truth of "The Way" could reach even Caesar!



I realized that Paul's goal was not to be free! As I was reading, I found myself rooting for him, hoping that the officials would free him, but this morning, as I read, I wondered if Paul was rooting for the same thing? Or if in his foresight and complete abandon to the call, he was actually rooting to stay in chains as a means to reach the Gentiles with the message of Christ.



Wow! This made me think of the things I wish to be "freed" from- my job for example. A quick move to a counseling position is what we've all been praying for me, but I realized this morning that my career isn't what gives me my freedom, just like Paul's prison status wasn't what determined whether or not he was free. He was free because Christ set him free, once and for all. I realized I am here to share the message of "The Way." My position gives me unique daily access to 18 families in Southside Fort Worth. I want to be more like Paul, rooting to "stay in chains" as a means to reach Southside Fort Worth with the message of Christ.



I hope this makes some sort of sense- I have to pick up my kids from lunch now!



Be blessed team!

You are free!



Christina