Now in the church at Antioch there were prophets and teachers. While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.” Then after fasting and praying they laid their hands on them and sent them off.  (Acts 13:1-3)

For the past several weeks we have been walking through the Book of Acts, Luke’s companion volume to his Gospel. This Sunday, we will conclude our series as we reflect on the final chapters of Acts and the continued spread of the gospel through the power of the Holy Spirit. (I had planned for one more week in our series but due to my Uncle’s passing I will be taking bereavement leave next Sunday.) I invite you to read through the Book of Acts with me. This week, we’ll complete our journey by reading chapters 13–18 and 19–28. Our sermon Sunday will focus on a specific reading from that portion of scripture as well as a brief look at the remainder of the Book of Acts: Paul’s Missionary Journeys. 

I have said before and I will probably say again…I love Paul’s story!  It is such a story of redemption, restoration, and resilience.  I am always amazed at how God uses Paul as a vessel to spread the message about Jesus.  But what I love most is Paul’s honesty as he shares the difficulty he faces as he fulfills his calling.  The road Paul traveled was not easy!  He went on three Missionary Journeys, and each one was harder than the one before.  He is imprisoned, beaten, and even shipwrecked…yet none of his hardships kept him from the calling God placed on his heart! 

It makes me think about our individual callings (we all have one!)  I think about the unique path God has called YOU to walk and the story he is writing with your life.  I also think about the passion God has placed in your heart, the gifts God endowed upon you enabling you to carry out that passion, and the people God placed in your life to encourage you along the way. 

We are all called and sent. We are all a part of the “priesthood of all believers.”  A biblical concept that, during the Reformation, John Calvin expanded into a profound vocational mandate. He believed and taught that all Christians have direct access to God and are called to actively serve as representatives of Christ, rather than simply possessing the privilege of private judgment.  We as believers have all received a calling, been set apart, and sent out into the world as Christ’s ambassadors.

Friends, we all have a story to tell.  Our lives are a book that God is writing.  May we be a walking testimony of God’s love to all whom we encounter.

Blessings,
Pastor Jenni

We are afflicted in every way but not crushed, perplexed but not driven to despair, persecuted but not forsaken, struck down but not destroyed.

(2 Corinthians 4:8-9)