Readings for today: Acts 25-26, Psalms 131
I’ve recently spent a lot of time with friends who are navigating heartbreaking situations with those they love. Children who have walked away from the faith. Spouses who no longer believe. Parents who have drifted away towards the end of their lives and no longer consider a relationship with Christ a priority. In each of these cases, the people involved are making foolish decisions that carry great risk. They are experiencing a growing sense of isolation and depression. They are even cutting themselves off from those who love them most. What I tell my friends is it’s like those they love are entering the valley of the shadow of death where they become incredibly anxious and afraid for they have lost any sense that God is with them. Their only hope is for my friends to walk into that valley with them. Hold onto them even as they themselves hold onto Christ with the hope that one day, the light of Jesus will break through the darkness and cause them to return to faith.
I thought about my friends when I read these words from Paul this morning. “I wish before God,” replied Paul, “that whether easily or with difficulty, not only you but all who listen to me today might become as I am — except for these chains.”(Acts 26:29 CSB) I think Paul wrestles with many of the same feelings my friends do. He looks around at his fellow Jews and he cannot fathom why they do not believe. Why can they not accept Jesus as their Messiah? He even mentions in some places that he would rather be accursed, he would rather be cut off from God, if it would mean his fellow Jews would come to saving faith. Paul grieves over those he loves who refuse to believe. He grieves over their resistance to their Messiah. His greatest desire is that they would see the light as he has seen the light. He could care less about his sufferings or his imprisonments or his fate. He knows his life is in God’s hands. He willingly sacrifices it all for the sake of knowing Christ and helping others do the same.
What about us? Is this our burning passion as well? To draw those we love to Christ? Do we pray for them? Do we share the gospel with them? Are we willing to walk with them no matter what dark valley they enter? Are we willing to go places with them that are uncomfortable? Are we willing to risk everything we have to see them come to a knowledge of Jesus Christ? I know I wrestle with these questions myself. I have people in my life who I love dearly who no longer believe or struggle with faith or who have walked away from Christian community. My heart and my prayer is that God will give me the privilege and opportunity to walk alongside them, love them the way He loves them, suffer alongside them if necessary, all with the hope they will experience Christ in and through me and come saving faith.
Readings for tomorrow: Acts 27-28, Psalms 132