“In Between Normals”: A 30 Day Devotion on the Book of ActsSample

Keep Your Heart on Fire

Reading Paul's speech today inspires me.

You see Paul standing in the middle of a great Roman hall, surrounded by King Herod Agrippa II, his sister Bernice, Governor Festus, a big group of high-ranking military officers, and key city leaders. To say that it is intimidating is an understatement.

Then, Paul launched into his speech. He poured out his heart to talk about how he used to persecute the church, how he met Jesus, and how the gracious God wanted the Gentiles to repent and turn to God.

But wait! Does it look like legal self-defence? Or is it more like an evangelistic message?

Paul laid out his arguments skilfully. If you know Aristotle's Rhetoric, you can see Paul mobilising his logos, pathos, and ethos with full force! He went so "all-in" that Governor Festus stopped him and said, "Paul, you are insane!" (26:24)

So, what was Paul doing here?

A Heart on Fire

Paul said, "King Agrippa, I was not disobedient to the vision from heaven." (26:19)

Paul was discharging his duty. However, he didn't just "do the job." Paul was passionate. He was totally immersed in his calling. He wasn't even thinking about his own safety. What he wanted was to do everything he could to persuade his audience! And King Agrippa knew it. He said,

"Do you think that in such a short time you can persuade me to be a Christian?” (26:28)

Paul's heart was on fire.

Favourable or Not

I suspect this episode had etched deeply into Paul's heart. A few years later when Paul wrote to his young colleague Timothy, he urged him to "Preach the word of God ... whether the time is favourable or not." (2 Timothy 4:2, NLT)

Paul was right. The days are evil. That's why Paul urged his friends in Ephesus to seize and make the most of every opportunity they had! (Ephesians 5:16)

My friend, keep your heart on fire, whether the time is favourable or not! Don't let the environment stop you from being obedient to God's calling. That's how we journey through the land of "in between normals."

Reflection:

What is the one thing in your heart that you know God is calling you to do? Do you think God might be calling you to take a step of faith and move forward today?