Day 313 or November the 9th. Make haste slowly.
Our thoughts today are rooted in Acts chapter
21 verse 13. Then Paul answered, Why are you
weeping and breaking my heart? I am ready not
only to be bound, but also to die in Jerusalem
for the name of the Lord Jesus. And now the big
picture surrounding this verse. Despite the pleading
of many of his friends and fellow believers,
Paul resolutely heads for Jerusalem, where he
is arrested and tried by Governor Felix. He is
kept in prison for two whole years, but never
subjected to a proper trial. It seems Felix was
trying to please the Jews whilst at the same
time regularly conversing with Paul and hoping
for a bribe from him. which may have aided his
release. And now today's action step. There have
been many times in my life when I have come across
people who are so convinced of the future action
required in their own lives that nothing and
no one will shake them. I honestly don't remember
experiencing many times like that, but looking
back, there have been some. The rule for me is
questioning and stepping out gingerly. There
are many examples in the Bible of God's leaders
being firm and decisive in their service, but
I am convinced that these are shining beacons
in lives that are otherwise the same as ours.
Paul is certain in our verse today, but whatever
happens to him, he is a character who moves on,
and when God makes it clear to him to change
direction, he does so, and then continues moving
on. His secret was to keep moving, sometimes
fast and sometimes slow, but he kept on progressing
with God's hand, gently guiding him when required.
If you are grappling with something in your life
about which you are unsure, please don't think
you're the only one. Most of us are in this situation
most of our lives. Don't wallow in inactivity,
but trustingly move on irrespective of speed
or lack of progress. Even if we need to be redirected
occasionally, remember God loves a cheerful mover.