Vern snuggled into a comfortable position on the soft throw blanket and drifted off into a deep sleep. He and his Frenchie sister spent two nights at a pet resort near the coast of North Carolina. By all appearances, they enjoyed their time away, but there vacation home didn’t offer the sense of peace that comes from being with their human companions.
Peace comes when you believe you are doing the right thing. This is what was happening to the first century church. After Stephen was stoned to death, the church was forced to leave Jerusalem and pursue the mission that Jesus called them to do. It wasn’t what many wanted to do, but with the death of Stephen, it was clear that they were being forced out.
“So the church throughout all Judea and Galilee and Samaria had peace and was being built up. And walking in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit, it multiplied.” (Acts 9:31)
Vern and Bee share a peace that comes from being where they’re needed. And that’s what God wants from us as well. When we are around people building them up with encouragement, we will also experience the comfort of the Holy Spirit and an inner peace that only comes from God.
I like that you pointed out that leaving was not what most of them wanted to do. Sometimes in our discomfort we are forced to die to ourselves to produce many seeds. I’m going through an uncomfortable period right now but it is forcing me to hold on to what’s important and to reach out to others. Thank you for this post.
Terri, thank you for your honest response. I do believe your situation is producing many seeds. I believe when we reach our eternal home, there will be people there that will thank you for your suffering. It is interesting how when Jesus spoke to Ananias and told him to go to Saul, now Paul, he told him how much Saul would suffer for his name. Thank you for reaching out! It means a great deal to me…