One night the Master spoke to Paul in a dream: ‘Keep it up, and don’t let anyone intimidate or silence you. No matter what happens, I’m with you and no one is going to be able to hurt you. You have no idea how many people I have on my side in this city.’ Acts 18:9-10 (MSG)
Somewhere through the age it has become inappropriate for a Believer to express our hurt, suffering or weaknesses.
How can we exhort you Beloved Brothers and Sisters if you paint the face of ‘all is well, I can do it by myself’?
Consider Paul, here he is, Acts 18, by his own admission arriving in Corinth discouraged, hurting and fearful (Read 1 Cor 2). This level of ministry is tough; preaching the gospel of Christ is mentally, physically and spiritually hard! However he is unashamed to a) continue to persevere through these trials and b) reveal his pain. Why? He had found a friend in Jesus and comfort through the Holy Spirit.
The Lord knows that the life He has called us to will be difficult. What we cannot do is believe that we must endure our journey alone. Do you think it was coincidence that Paul ‘found’ Aquila and Priscilla? Two Roman believers exiled to Corinth, who also happen to share the same occupation as Paul. The arrival of this God-sent couple helped to revive Paul. He worked, he preached and probably fellowshipped with them.
Men and women of God we need each other. God can only encourage us and supply our needs if we are willing to find strength in our vulnerabilities.
To be a powerful voice for God, we must never be afraid to demonstrate who God has called us to be, even when we are at our weakest.
Make a commitment today, to speak with authenticity; enable the body of Christ (we, your brothers and sisters), to lift you up and bless you with the love of our Lord!
And yes, we the brothers and sisters should seek to make ourselves approachable and available for God to use us too.
Prayer Focus
God, strengthen my spirit of discernment so I may show up at Your appointed time in the life of one of Your children like Aquila and Priscilla, in Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.
Written by Orode Faka of @thelafamily