“Then Jews from Antioch and Iconium came there; and having persuaded the multitudes, they stoned Paul and dragged him out of the city, supposing him to be dead. However, when the disciples gathered around him, he rose up and went into the city. And the next day he departed with Barnabas to Derbe.” -Acts 14:19-20
I read Acts 14 this morning, and I am just amazed by Paul’s actions here. He was drug out of Lystra, and had rocks thrown at him until he was presumed dead. We’re talking about his body being battered and broken until he was a bloody heap. So what did Paul do when he supernaturally rose up after the disciples came? He marched right back into the city where the people had just stoned him were at, and spent the night before continuing on about His Father’s business. He was undeterred.
Can you imagine looking into Paul’s eyes when he later exhorted the Ephesian elders and said, “But none of these things move me; nor do I count my life dear to myself, so that I may finish my race with joy, and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God.” (Acts 20:24) His actions proved these words so true, and made them so impactful. He was on his way to Jerusalem where he knew certain persecution was waiting, but He was going to finish His work, and do it with joy.
That is what being a Christian is all about, and with the new year approaching I want my life to be a little more like Paul’s. All about Jesus regardless of the hardships this world throws at me.