Title:- Hearing the Unspeakable, Seeing the Un-See-Able
Acts 20:22,23 And see, now I go bound in the spirit to Jerusalem, not knowing the things that will happen to me there, except that the Holy Spirit testifies in every city, saying that chains and tribulations await me.
Imagine if you will, this consistent testimony that repeats itself in each new place which Paul arrives in when the Holy Sprit says to him “Man, you’re getting it in the neck here as well!” Imagine that. It’s almost farcical isn’t it? It makes Paul’s mission almost akin to a black comedy. Eugene Peterson was right in paraphrasing Paul’s comments in 1 Corinthians 4:9-10 : “It seems to me that God has put us who bear his Message on stage in a theater in which no one wants to buy a ticket. We're something everyone stands around and stares at, like an accident in the street. We're the Messiah's misfits.” Speaking of 'Messiah’s Misfits' reminds me of one of my favourite lines from another black comedy, ‘Jacob the Liar’, starring Robin Williams, which is set in a Jewish Ghetto in WWII. One of the characters remarks to a friend “I believe we are the chosen people, but I wish the Almighty had chosen somebody else!” Friends, I wonder if Paul ever felt like that? Humanly speaking of course I would say “Yes! Of course he must have.” Yet the evidence of Paul’s life and lip, appears to be contrary to that conclusion.
From the beginning Paul knew that he would suffer for the name of Jesus Christ and he did.:- “in labors more abundant, in stripes above measure, in prisons more frequently, in deaths often. From the Jews five times I received forty stripes minus one. Three times I was beaten with rods; once I was stoned; three times I was shipwrecked; a night and a day I have been in the deep; in journeys often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils of my own countrymen, in perils of the Gentiles, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren; in weariness and toil, in sleeplessness often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness — besides the other things, what comes upon me daily: my deep concern for all the churches.” 2 Corinthians 11:23-29.So my question is this: What was it that stopped this man going insane with bitterness and indignation? May I suggest that nothing but a vision from God and of God, could sustain and empower such a commission. Maybe we should each seek a similar power infusing vision. So, how about it? Let me ask you today dear friend; what is your driving vision? God! We need one don’t we? What's your vision man? What's your vision woman? Do you see it?
Listen:- “I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago — whether in the body I do not know, or whether out of the body I do not know, God knows — such a one was caught up to the third heaven. And I know such a man — whether in the body or out of the body I do not know, God knows — how he was caught up into Paradise and heard inexpressible words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter.” 2 Corinthians 12:2-4
Pray:- O Lord, cover me and show me heaven. Unless You speak, unless You show, unless You manifest Your care and direction, the road ahead is far too steep and the deep, deep wood we have travelled into in Your great name, has become far too dark and far too cold for us to continue on without You. Speak Lord in the stillness whilst we wait on Thee, hushed our hearts to listen in expectancy. Amen.
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