For the first time in a decade, I am "the new girl." New girl at church, back to introducing myself as "Amber with an -ly," back to being nervous, shy and at times very insecure. After two years of not serving at a church or having a church that I love and call home, I have found a home church, one that I look forward to attending every week. I joined the children's ministry team and had my first team meeting a few weekends ago. I was told to be at church at 9am for breakfast. I arrived and walked into a room of at least twenty people all cracking jokes to each other and laughing. Luckily a few people remembered my name and made sure I felt included. Within a few minutes I began to feel more comfortable and made new friends.
About thirty minutes into me 'making friends' breakfast was served. Bacon, eggs, grits, cereal, they had quite the meal for a church meeting. I went up and got myself a bowl of grits and sat down. I ate, chatted with more people and nervously looked up as people were going up for seconds and thirds. I told myself I would just eat my grits, even though I was still hungry. I would get myself lunch on the way home, a big lunch. Everyone finished eating and we made our way to some set up chairs to hear our pastor start the meeting.
The pastor shared his heart for the kids ministry, people shared their ideas, others spoke on the demographics of the city, and my heart was moved even more for the children of Miami. As it was getting closer to noon, my stomach began to growl, I was so hungry. I knew the meeting had to soon be over, this was only a 'breakfast meeting' right?!?
We had a break, as I walked out with some girls to the restroom, I casually said "how long do you girls think we will be here?" They laughed and informed me we would definitely be out by 3pm. When we walked back in to the meeting, they had some snacks set out, I was so relieved. Through the next hours all I could think about was that bacon and eggs, if only I had followed everyone and gone in for seconds.
In Acts 14, we catch up with Paul and Barnabas in Iconium, where they are sharing the message of God's grace. There was division among the people due to the message and Paul and Barnabas got word that those against the message were planning on stoning them. Paul and Barnabas then fled to the Lycaonian, cities of Lysta and Derbe and its surroundings to continue to preach the gospel.
In Lysta, while Paul was speaking, he saw a lame man with great faith. He called out to this man "Stand up on your feet." The man then stood up and began to walk. The crowd was in shock, believing these men must be gods, they wanted to make sacrifices to Paul and Barnabas.
15 “Friends, why are you doing this? We too are only human, like you. We are bringing you good news, telling you to turn from these worthless things to the living God, who made the heavens and the earth and the sea and everything in them. 16 In the past, he let all nations go their own way. 17 Yet he has not left himself without testimony: He has shown kindness by giving you rain from heaven and crops in their seasons; he provides you with plenty of food and fills your hearts with joy.”
Even after this, the people still wanted to make sacrifices to them. Then some Jews came from Antioch and Iconium and won the crowd over. They stoned Paul and after believing he was dead, they dragged him outside the city. In verse 20 the unthinkable occurs
20 "But after the disciples had gathered around him, he got up and went back into the city."
Are you kidding me Paul? These people tried to kill you, they stoned you and thought you were dead. You must know, this was not those peoples first stoning, they knew what a dead man looks like, either he was really dead or Paul looked so bad that they knew he would died once they left him outside the city.
But after the disciples gather, possibly pray, Paul had the guts to go back into the city? Who in the right mind would go in for seconds. These people obviously don't like him, don't want to hear from him, and definitely don't want to see someone they just "killed" stroll back into their city.
The next day, Paul and Barnabas left for Derbe. They preached the gospel in Derbe and a large number believed. Then they returned to Lystra, Iconium and Antioch (people, don't you remember these people want you dead) there they strengthened the disciples and encouraged them to keep the faith.
"We must go through many hardships to enter the kingdom of God," they said.
They traveled through Pisidia, Pamphylia, Perga and into Attalia preaching the gospel. Here is the outcome of their persistence verse 26-28.
26 "From Attalia they sailed back to Antioch, where they had been committed to the grace of God for the work they had now completed. 27 On arriving there, they gathered the church together and reported all that God had done through them and how he had opened a door of faith to the Gentiles.28 And they stayed there a long time with the disciples."
They were obedient to the task set before them, no matter the fear of death, the hardships they continued to do what God had called them to. Because of their persistence many came to know of God's grace and a door of faith was opened to the Gentiles. I am so thankful Paul and Barnabus went in for seconds, you never know those people that came to know that day probably shared with someone who shared with sometimes, times a thousand years, who shared with us.
What is the task set before you? I doubt any of our callings are as terrifying as Paul and Barnabas'. Maybe God is asking you today to go in for seconds.
Some reading this, may have taken a step back from God, today I encourage you to step in for seconds, God is not mad at you, but He loves you and wants you to have an abundant life. He wants you to have eternal life.
Others reading this, maybe you have step away from your calling or dream due to discouragement or fear, I encourage you today to step in for seconds. Ask God to help you, anything and everything is possible with Him on your side.
Thankfully we have a God with a big appetite for us, He didn't just go in for seconds, He is going in for thirds, fourths, and more and more.It says Paul went back into the city.What I see here is the reminder of a savior coming back for more. Jesus came with a call, we killed him and left him for dead. But let us be reminded of that empty tomb and a savior that went back into the city, and promised to come back for seconds.
“Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God[a]; believe also in me. 2 My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am." John 14:1-3
1 Thessalonians 4:16-17, NIV. "For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever."
II Peter 3:8-9, NIV. "But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day. The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance."
Hebrews 9:28, TLB. "So also Christ died only once as an offering for the sins of many people; and He will come again, but not to deal again with our sins. This time He will come bringing salvation to all those who are eagerly and patiently waiting for Him."
1 Corinthians 1:7-8, TLB. "Now you have every grace and blessing; every spiritual gift and power for doing His will are yours during this time of waiting for the return of our Lord Jesus Christ. And He guarantees right up to the end that you will be counted free from all sin and guilt on that day when He returns."
Revelation 22:20, NKJV. "He who testifies to these things says, 'Surely I am coming quickly.' Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus"
