Shrank back

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I have done the Lord’s work humbly and with many tears. I have endured the many trials that came to me from the plots of the Jews. I never shrank back from telling you what you needed to hear, either publicly or in your homes.

— Acts 20:13-38

“Why are you happy all the time?”

Sadly, it’s not every day someone asks you that question, at least me anyway.

I’d love to tell you that my answer was bold and unapologetic, a passion-filled testimony of God’s wonderful work in my life. However, to do so would be inaccurate. No, it would be a lie.

I mumbled something about how staying positive helps the time pass … blah, blah, blah.

No Good News about Jesus. No follow-up questions for him. It was a total swing and a miss. The coach put me in, but I wasn’t prepared.

The leaders of the church in Ephesus had been blessed to be with the apostle Paul up close and personal.

They heard him preach. They watched him work. They saw him suffer. They heard his prayers cried out with tears.

Never did he hesitate to tell them, or anyone else for that matter, what they needed to hear.

His love for Jesus was supreme. Life and death were of no concern to him. He had been rescued. He had been given his assignment — an assignment from which he would never shrink back.

How deep is our love for Jesus today?

There seems to be a very strong connection between the answer to that question and our willingness to effectively, respectfully and humbly give an answer for the hope that we have when the opportunity presents itself.

We must be prepared to tell. Preparation begins with a heart that is completely saturated with a love for Jesus.

Without it, the telling is a fearful chore that rarely if ever results in a celebration in heaven.

Chosen instrument

But the Lord said, “Go, for Saul is my chosen instrument to take my message to the Gentiles and to kings, as well as to the people of Israel.”

Acts 9:15

… I am fortunate, King Agrippa, that you are the one hearing my defense today …

Acts 26

It was 93 degrees. The humidity was 99.99% with barely a cloud in the sky. Simply walking out the door produced severe perspiration.

It was the perfect day to NOT do this particular project on my honey-do list. And yet, there I stood in the baking heat with my shovels, rake and splitting maul.

Before me sat two enormous rocks that needed to be moved into holes that I would have to dig through gravel and clay to make.

During one of my water breaks, I found my most effective tool…my son-in-law. It felt way beyond good to check that off my list.

When Jesus introduced himself to Saul/Paul, it was a jolt to say the least.

However, it wasn’t just for dramatic flair that Jesus blinded Paul on the road to Damascus. It was for a mission. It was to give him a sound to play that was unique to him. He took his place in the divine orchestra, where God would play beautiful music through him.

Sounds of salvation through faith in Jesus emanated from him wherever he went. He was a chosen instrument built to harmonize with all the others for the kingdom to advance.

If you are a Jesus follower today, you have been chosen, too. You are wanted. You are valued. You are charged with a critical part to play as well.

No one else can play your part, just as no one else could play Paul’s part.

As an instrument, it is quite clear that we are incapable of generating our own sounds.

Jesus said, “Apart from me you can do nothing.” Paul would say the same thing this way: “I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength.”

Are we available? Are we willing? Have we surrendered? Listen closely. The conductor is tapping his music stand. It’s go time!

Tom Wiles is senior minister of Fall Creek Christian Church in Pendleton. He can be reached at 765-778-3166.