Day One is not technically in the books but this is my down time as I write.
Overwhelmed doesn’t accurately describe my feelings. Overcome is the best word. I was “shaken” as we started with worship in Caesarea. As we sat in an amphitheater that King Herod had built, we were blessed to have Bear Rinehart of “Needtobreathe” sing “I Have Decided to Follow Jesus”. So appropriate since we were sitting and looking at the stage where Paul testified of his “Damascus Road Experience” and “decision to follow Jesus” before Agrippa and other rulers and other important people in Acts 25 and 26.
We also saw the remains of a prison where Paul was in chains and probably wrote the book of Philippians. Side note: What I wanted to do when I saw the prison was to climb down into it and read the book of Philippians. Time didn’t allow for it.
I just finished reading the book of Philippians in my down time and what really stands out to me today is Philippians 1:12, “Now I want you to know, brothers, that what happened to me has really served to advance the gospel.” He had no idea thousands of years later…what an UNDERSTATEMENT that was. Then in verse 13 Paul said, “As a result, it has become clear throughout the whole palace guard and to everyone else that I am in chains for Christ.”
Paul had no idea that his testimony would eventually reach millions. My take away? Suffering can bring great and awesome things for God’s Kingdom. God uses evil often times to EXPLODE THE GOSPEL. No man can thwart God’s plan. God’s word is true and can be FULLY TRUSTED.
Don’t doubt God in the hard times and life’s difficulties. Fully trust Him. Trust He will bring about things for His GOOD Purpose. We cannot lean on our own understanding. His ways are higher. We can never fully grasp His plan but we can trust Him with His plan for our lives. It comes from complete surrender of our will to His.
“If you can’t see His way past the tears, trust His heart.” ~Charles Spurgeon