Today's reading from Acts finds us with Paul on his first missionary journey. We read of the gladness of the gentiles when Paul tells them the good news and makes clear that the good news is as much for them as for the Jews. The good news is heard through the whole region. Then comes persecution from one direction and they are expelled from the area; and as they leave to travel on we read:
"And the disciples were filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit." Acts 13:52 [NIV]
Despite having their work curtailed and being forced out they were filled with joy. Which raises the question; how often are we filled with joy as we live as followers of Jesus?
When we use our spirit-given gifts to love others and serve others we do get a sense of joy. When things go well we certainly do, perhaps not so much when things go less well. C. S. Lewis' autobiographical story of his journey into faith is entitled, 'Surprised by Joy'; how much are we even aware of 'joy' let alone surprised by it?
I suspect that there are many reasons why we might be less aware of 'joy' than we might be; differing reasons at different times; differing reasons for different people. There might be something to do with busyness, or with doing things our way and in our own strength, or not using the gifts that we have been blessed with, or due to relationship issue with others, or relationship issues with God, or.....
The one thing that we can do today is pray; Father, fill me more and more with your Holy Spirit. Let me know your presence more and more; guide me to live as you would wish and let me know more and more the joy that comes in following you.
Amen
Mike Iredale
Read the Bible in a year: Psalm 76:1-12, 1 Kings 7:23-8:21, Acts 13:42-14:7
No comments:
Post a Comment