Mind the Gap. A Poignant Pass and our Duty to Catch Ourselves

“I did not ask for this!”

Paul lamented as he stomped his foot on the ground. “Why is nobody listening?”

“Round and round and round we go. Where it stops nobody knows.”….A dizzying feeling of angst. He thought as he felt a familiar feeling of dread. Circles are good, yes?…They join. Yes? Paul considered.

Sometimes.

Why are we skeptical. Why do we allow ourselves to remain in a constant state of skepticism when goodness and proof are all around us? Why do we allow ourselves only tunnel vision. Convincing ourselves we are right and they are wrong? Unconvinced? Convinced? By words, deeds or actions?

Time will tell. It usually does. Steadiness comes from character and commitment. So, too, does how well one is able to speak through another. The key is to pay attention. Even if and when we do not “get it” in the immediate moment.

Paul became weary from always having to continually explain? No. Paul did not take offense with others disagreement and questions. He felt strong conviction is in speaking of the good and honest works. Good and honest, words, deeds and actions. He knew in his heart of hearts that it is well worth the effort. Oh, not say for the riches of the world to come his way. The productive way. The Way showed Paul the riches of the world are meant to be shared.

But, oftentimes, we quarrel. We are led astray. By our own confusion. We forget to believe. Through the prophet Isaiah, Paul spoke and said,

”Go and say to this people:

You will listen and listen and not understand;

you will look and look and not see.

Because this people’s minds are dull,

they have stopped up their ears,

and have closed their eyes.

Otherwise their eyes would see,

their ears would hear,

their minds would understand,

and they would turn to me, says God,

” and” I would heal them.”

And Paul concluded, “You are to know then, that God’s message of salvation has been sent to the Gentiles. They will listen! [After Paul said this, the Jews left, arguing violently among themselves.]

For two years, Paul lived there in a place he rented for himself, and welcomed all who came to see him. He preached about the Kingdom of God and taught about the Lord Jesus Christ, speaking with all boldness and freedom.

Convinced yet? That is o.k. Because sooner or later circumstances and situations have a way of re-ordering the way we respond. To others, to ourselves.

”I did not ask for this!” We complain. “Why me?”

Indeed.

Even if and when we stop ourselves in our tracks long enough to listen and hear, we will hear the “Call”. The next question we should ask ourselves is,

”What are we gonna do about it?”

Duty is a funny thing. It is priceless, yet, can cost quite a lot.

How WILL you fulfill your duty to your fellow man? To positively contribute to the Social Fellowship? Fellowship of your fellow men?

It is a question worth asking ourselves before we,

”Drop the ball”. And. Or. Fall off the boat. And. Or. In between the cracks.

Missed opportunities to help another is an opportunity missed, dropped and lost.

When he toured, moved from place to place. Paul’s message remained the same. Paul had a vision and he was not afraid to use it. Boldly. Consistently. Round and round and round. Youngsters and Oldsters. Made no difference. The center of Paul’s message was to consider the question. But the center of his message was the one that drove the message.

God knows our hearts.

So. He welcomed the disagreements, quarrels and arguments. With the guiding principle that those who listen and heard long enough would believe, or at least begin to believe in,

Goodness. And. Our duty to promote social fellowship of goodness. It does not mean we will always be successful. But.

Effort really counts.

During a tour, Paul re explained, “He made no difference between us and them; he purified their hearts because they believed. So, then why do you want to put God to the test now by laying a load on the backs of believers which neither our ancestors nor we ourselves were able to carry?

Grace. And a peace that passes understanding.

It is not the only way. But. It is the best Way. It is crucial to not jump on the bandwagon, just “cuz”. One can just as easily fall of the wagon. Reminding ourselves steadiness comes from character and commitment.

We are not allowed to choke off the air of another. We are not. We may, in a attempt to coerce or control. Intentional or not makes very little difference. Another tour in the church of Antioch, prophets fasted and prayed. Knocked on the door. Perhaps, lamented, too,

”I did not ask for this”. However proceeded with the deeds and actions of fasting and praying. Sometimes, oftentimes we do not know why.

But we just decide to do. Better to do. To exercise good works, good deeds, good actions on behalf of Him. In the name of Him. In ACTS 23,24. Governor Felix did just this. Took action. Some may say, questionably. Paul was taken before Governor Felix as Paul was accused by the Jews. Paul was simply there to worship. Paul was accused of arguing. There was no proof of the accusations brought against Paul. He was happy to defend himself before Governor Felix as the Governor was a judge over the nation for many years.

As Paul was worshipping and had brought with him some money to his own people and to offer sacrifices. But some Jews from the province of Asia were there; “they ought to come before you and make their accusations, if they have anything against me.” “Or let these men tell what crime they found me guilty of when I stood before the Council—except for the one thing I called out when I stood before them: “I am being judged by you today for believing that the deed will rise to life.”

Then Felix who was well informed about the Way, brought the hearing to a close. “I will decide your case”. When Commander Lysias arrives. He ordered the Officer in Charge of Paul to keep him under guard, but to give him some freedom and allow his friends to provide for his needs.

After some days, Felix came with his wife Drusilla, who was Jewish. He sent for Paul, but as Paul went on discussing about goodness, self-control, and the Coming Day of Judgment, Felix was afraid and said, “You may leave now, I will call you when I get the chance.” At the same time, he was hoping that Paul would give him some money; and for this reason he would call him often and talk with him.

After two years had passed, Porcius Festus took the place of Felix as Governor. Felix wanted to gain favor with the Jews, so he left Paul in prison.

Afraid. Fear. Scarey. Doubt. Hard feelings and actions that can be the driver of our words, deeds, and actions—beyond our wildest comprehension. Causing angst and our inability to understand. Promoting indifference.

Caring and carrying on with steady goodness and honesty is our duty to our fellow man. Steadiness comes from character and commitment.

God knows our hearts.