What is real? What matters?
- Christine DiGiacomo
- 1 day ago
- 5 min read
Several days ago, I flew to Orlando to join my daughter and family at Disney world. . . phew, a jam-packed schedule of Mickey Mouse, Cinderella, Donald Duck, wild animals, great thrill rides, and bubbles...all at the happiest place on earth! Meanwhile, across the world, America and Israel attacked Iran to eliminate their capability to wield nuclear weapons against the world. The juxtaposition of those two is dizzying. What is real? What matters?
Back home this morning, I open my Bible to Psalm 5, (because it is the 5th day of the month) and along with the psalmist I pray, "Give ear to my words, O Lord,"1 'Listen to me, Lord, as I start my day with you before the sun has come up. Hear me, Father, as I want to connect with you, your love, strength, truth, peace and hope. Answer me as I ask you to search my heart, then forgive me of sin, and renew a right spirit within me... And Father, for those I love who are far from you, draw them to yourself, I pray.' And as I do each day, I ask God's blessing, wisdom and favor for those who are in need of it--starting with me! I ask for his healing mercies for those who are compromised or grieving...and then I close with 'I thank you, God, for the hope of a new day' even as night gives way to soft hues of blues and pinks; thank you, God, for life and health and strength, for eternity with You. Amen.
What is real? Definitely my morning time with God! What matters? Without doubt, the way I feel about the day and what lies ahead are greatly impacted by my morning prayers! My confidence, strength, hope and peace are given wings in prayer. Yes, morning prayer matters!
Meanwhile, as we forge ahead in the book of Acts, our man Paul finishes his missionary journeys by traveling to Jerusalem, as he has purposed. And sure enough in short order accusations against him are launched. The city throbs with unrest, the Temple doors are locked behind Paul, a Jewish mob grabs him and beats him, having every intention of killing him, all based on misunderstanding/rumors and lies running amok.
With the city in an uproar, the local Roman commander plucks Paul from the midst to protect him,2 when Paul turns and asks to speak to the people. He steps before the crowd as a sheet of silence drops. Quiet. Paul proceeds to tell his story--his birth and Jewish heritage and religious training, his rabid persecution of Jesus followers.3 The crowd leans in, 'yeah, yeah, go on!' Then, Paul tells of how Jesus stepped into his path, reveals truth to him, and even gives him his next steps.
The crowd hangs on his every word - that is, until the word "Gentiles" is on his lips.4 Game-changer - remember, the Jews look down their noses on the dirty Gentiles and are incensed, calling again for Paul's death. The weak commander, swept up in the rage of the mob, prepares to scourge Paul. That is, until Paul asks a penetrating question: Is it legal for you to flog a Roman citizen?5
Ultimately, Paul will be tugged back and forth, shoved between the Romans and the Jews over the next couple years, always in custody. Knowing his rights, he asks to be heard by Caesar, and is remanded to Rome.
What is real? The historical record of Paul's actions and activities from tiny Israel to mighty Rome. What matters? That which God accomplished through his faithful life, Paul's conduct and words--both written and spoken.
Paul had the opportunity to tell his amazing God story several times, and he took it.
He told how Jesus stepped into his path, revealed himself to him and that based on what he knew of the Hebrews scriptures--the many prophecies of the Messiah--this Jesus of Nazareth was indeed the Jewish Messiah. This truth changed everything for the arrogant, well-educated, self-righteous Pharisee and Jew, Paul of Tarsus. From that day forward, he lived life on purpose for a purpose and with purpose to impact as many people as he could for the kingdom of God. [this is my personal calling]
So from these last chapters of the book of Acts, I am impacted by two big things:
->the power of story - No one can tell you what you have experienced
of God is not true; it is your story alone. Paul's story reverberates down through history until this very day. . . I ask you again, what is your God story?
->A well asked question can effect great change - a well-placed
question wields more power, effects greater change than an argument
ever will. Learn to ask good questions.
How about you and me today? What is real? What matters?
Maybe you are personally impacted by the growing war in the Middle East and are worried, wondering too about the prophetic calendar, end times. hmmm...
And/or perhaps you are facing personal battles:
>the pressures and challenges of your job, or your very real need of a job
>medical conditions
>marital strife, brokenness
>mental or emotional strain: anxiety, depression, debilitating fear
>caring for your aging parents while straddling the rearing of high school children!
These things are real, and they matter.
Friend, what do we do with these real things that matter so much in our lives?
For the answer, come back with me to the little East Bay town of Castro Valley in Northern California, where I was living. It was a cool early morning and I was walking up a hill--both for exercise and alone time to pray. As I crested this one hill, and old lady was standing there lifting an open Bible into the air. 'Ma'am, can I ask what you are doing?' I asked.
She turned and smiled sweetly, 'Honey, I am lifting up my eyes to the Lord!' And then she lowered her Bible and said, 'listen: "I lift up my eyes to the hills. From where does my help come? My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth."6 Hmmm.... I could hardly wait to get home and read the rest of the psalm.
I imagine Paul reminded himself of these very words, even as I commend them to you: The rest of Psalm 121:
"My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth.
He will not let your foot be moved; he who keeps you will not slumber.
Behold, he who keeps Israel will neither slumber nor sleep.
The Lord is your keeper; the Lord is your shade on your right hand.
The sun shall not strike you by day, nor the moon by night.
The Lord will keep you from all evil; he will keep your life.
The Lord will keep your going out and your coming in from this time forth and forevermore."7
Truth is real, truth is what matters.
Our help does come from the Lord! God alone is the source of our strength and He will keep us, both now and forever--no matter what we are facing. Amen.
WATCH, listen, remember: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZgpHAiPuaF8&list=RD9g4eqKDkDiw&index=3
Christine
no. 60, Acts
1 - Psalm 5.1
2 - Acts 21.35
3 - Acts 9
4 - Acts 22.21
5 - Acts 22.25
6 - Psalm 121.1
7 - Psalm 121.2-8
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