Paul is on his own in Athens because his ministry partners have not yet joined him. If you’re like me, when you’re in a new city, you like to drive around and explore. Paul is doing this, too, only on foot presumably. He’s seeing a lot of idols all around. When you’re not used to seeing that kind of thing, it can make you curious or uncomfortable. Paul was troubled and chose to be bold and speak out. Not only did he speak in the synagogues, he was granted an audience of the scholars, philosophers, and even the high council.
When we see things in our world that aren’t right, what is our first inclination? Do we sit back and hope that someone else will take care of it? Do we start a rally to get people behind the cause to fix it? Do we quietly pray for God to help us know how to help? I think of all of the advertisements and videos I’ve watched recently about plastic pollution in the world. It’s frightening. I want to do something, yet I don’t have the boldness of Paul. So I’m using glass and boycotting straws. I’m applauding the bold ones like Paul who can see a big picture solution and are making it happen.
Would you like to be more like Paul in your boldness, too? I liked how the people of Athens were open to listening. Maybe they didn’t jump right into the Christianity camp immediately, but seeds were planted. Some did convert on the spot. The conversation wasn’t over for some as Paul had ignited a curiosity. Is your faith at the curious stage, or are you like Paul boldly seeking the lost to have a place in the kingdom?
Verse 27 is one of my favorites in this passage, “ His purpose was for the nations to seek after God and perhaps feel their way toward him and find him—though he is not far from any one of us.” What a picture that is for us to cling to. God’s purpose for us is to seek after him. We need to be feeling our way toward God so we can find him. And while we seek, he is never far from us.
Here’s a song that came to mind today. “In the Secret” listen here.
So today in your quiet time, take time to feel your way toward God. We know he is not far from any one of us. Sometimes we have a hard time seeing past all the junk of the world, all the distractions we fill our day with. To find the boldness or the peace you are looking for today, seek God first, he will give you what you need.
Let’s pray. Lord I do seek your face and want to know you more. I long for the boldness to proclaim your name. There are so many people that don’t know you, who aren’t feeling their way toward you. They know they are missing something, and that is someone, you, God. Help me to see them and minister to them. Use our business to reach people we would otherwise not reach. Lord, let me help them with both their financial health and their spiritual health. Bring those people to me. I am ready to serve you. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
