Do you fear that persecution for your faith might happen to you? How does that make you feel about the future? What would that do to your desire to communicate about Christ to those around you?

Exhausted. Tired. Dragging. Need Coffee. In the midst of all of our jokes about the pace of life and the weariness of our minds and bodies, there is a truth that we often ignore. We need rest. Unfortunately, when we think of rest, we are stretched and tired even considering it. We might feel we can’t afford it. Or we might run the to-do-list both at home and at work that would never allow us to step away. Many times, what adds to our busyness is our spiritual lives. We add things like prayer or bible study to the list and our sense of frustration grows.

Some people are judicious with their words. They are clear but careful. They know who they are talking to and gently weave their words together. Others are bulldozers. They are a verbal wreaking crew unleashing havoc, maybe intentionally and likely on purpose. Which are you?

Now in these days when the disciples were increasing in number, a complaint by the Hellenists arose against the Hebrews because their widows were being neglected in the daily distribution.
(Acts 6:1 ESV)

Church government and constitutions are not exactly the most exciting subject. When people want to talk about it, it usually means they have either had a rough experience somewhere, are Biblical nerds, or need some thing to help them fall asleep. Just kidding. Sorta.

Where do you most feel the presence of God? Is it in a specific church? Is it while singing a specific song? Is it out in nature? For the Jews of the first century that was an easy question to answer. The presence of God was located in the temple in Jerusalem. It was a monument to his grandeur and glory. It contained the holy artifacts. And it was the spot where all proper worship took place.

Then they left the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer dishonor for the name.  (Acts 5:41 ESV)

Persecution - it’s something that we fear. It’s a circumstance that we seem to think is always around the corner. The real question, I think, is not from what direction persecution will arrive, but are we prepared mentally and spiritually when it happens. I don’t think that preparation comes from just getting tougher or being ready to ‘take the hits’, but by truly understanding our salvation, identity, and security. The narrative in Acts provides pathways for us to do this as it recounts the conflicts which the church was birthed and grew in.