Scattered but with a Purpose . . .

Today’s world is mobile. I’ve moved an average of one move every 2.5 years of my life. However, this is not the case for everyone. Our children had school friends who had never been out of the city where we happened to be living. My parents moved six times in their whole lives and most of those were from retirement to nursing care to hospital.

I’ve wondered if people moved often during the time of the New Testament. I cannot find that information yet surmise that because people depended on foot travel or animals, they likely didn’t move very far. That begs the question: how would these words of Jesus come true?

But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” (Acts 1:8)

How would the new Christians witness to the ends of the earth? It seems obvious they needed more than an easy way of travel — they also needed motivation to go from where they lived and worked to the ‘ends of the earth.’ What would influence them to do that? The book of Acts tells how God helped them, not in a way that they would have chosen on their own . . .

And Saul approved of (Stephen’s) execution. And there arose on that day a great persecution against the church in Jerusalem, and they were all scattered throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria, except the apostles. Devout men buried Stephen and made great lamentation over him. But Saul was ravaging the church, and entering house after house, he dragged off men and women and committed them to prison. (Acts 8:1–3)

The Jewish religious leaders felt threatened by this ‘new’ religion and began persecuting them. It began very soon and continued, yet the narrative in Acts shows God’s plan. As His people fled for safety they fulfilled those prophetic words of their Savior:

Now those who were scattered because of the persecution that arose over Stephen traveled as far as Phoenicia and Cyprus and Antioch, speaking the word to no one except Jews. But there were some of them, men of Cyprus and Cyrene, who on coming to Antioch spoke to the Hellenists also, preaching the Lord Jesus. And the hand of the Lord was with them, and a great number who believed turned to the Lord. (Acts 11:19–21)

Today if this happened in my part of the world, Christians might think it was a horrible thing to be uprooted and scattered because of persecution. We might not suspect that God had something greater in mind than our comfort and security. I’m marveling at what God was doing back then, but would I marvel if it happened to me?

The report of this came to the ears of the church in Jerusalem, and they sent Barnabas to Antioch. When he came and saw the grace of God, he was glad, and he exhorted them all to remain faithful to the Lord with steadfast purpose, for he was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and of faith. And a great many people were added to the Lord. So Barnabas went to Tarsus to look for Saul, and when he had found him, he brought him to Antioch. For a whole year they met with the church and taught a great many people. And in Antioch the disciples were first called Christians. (Acts 11:22–26)

In parts of our world, persecuted Christians are still fleeing in fear for their lives. Our church has supported newlyweds from Syria who lived in bombed-out buildings for several months until they could escape to safety. We also are supporting families who fled from their homeland to another country only to find themselves in refugee camps, also unwelcome and persecuted. I’ve moved many times but cannot relate to what these people are experiencing. Relocating by choice or necessity is one thing but moving to escape death is quite another.

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

Lord Jesus, I compare the attitude of these early Christians with mine and marvel at their faithfulness and steadfast purpose. They turned to You in faith and that faith carried them, even as they were threatened. I must admit that a forced move would challenge me. Would I share the Gospel as I fled or if I wound up in a foreign land? I know that many people are suspicious of immigrants here because of persecution. I pray that You will use them to share the Gospel even as you did in the early church. Sadly, our land is ‘free’ yet many of our citizens still need to hear the Gospel because many of Your people are too comfortable rather than being focused and faithful to that purpose.

That final move

Today’s devotional reading says, “Life has been one long series of departures.” Besides leaving for vacations or taking trips for other reasons, I can count twenty-nine moves for myself and with family. Some were from one place to another in the same city, but some from one country to another. Leaving one home to establish another involves changes and adjustment besides the emotions of saying goodbye. 

As a Christian, my thoughts about leaving this world are different than they once were. Now death is a change of place and state, not an end to life. It involves the negatives of saying goodbye to the familiar here, but the positive joy of being welcomed into my true home where endless life will swallow up all the sorrows and struggles of this one. 

At Bible study last night, we talked about the resurrection of Jesus Christ and our certainty that we too will rise from the dead. That is, because Jesus died and rose again, and because His life is my life, I know that I will depart from this place to live with Him forever. Yet I want to finish well before I leave.

For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure has come. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on that Day, and not only to me but also to all who have loved his appearing. (2 Timothy 4:6–8)

Paul also wanted to finish well. He had fought for the truth, kept his faith and looked forward to his rewards, knowing that all Christians have the same hope. He talked of death as a departure, a going away, an exodus.

In my many moves, those changes have not always been easy. Some were fraught with emotion. Some were physically difficult. The same is true for that last exodus. 

We prayed last night for folks nearing this part of their journey and for those who are or will grieve. One man died in mid-life, too soon in our thinking. Another was murdered by political enemies leaving a confused and fearful family to mourn and wonder about their own safety. Another man has bone cancer eating his life span to a stub, and a woman’s life is threatened by a mysterious and unidentified ailment. Still another has blood cancer with no visible symptoms yet but it already gnaws at his soul.

The Bible says death is the final enemy, but it also says that Jesus conquered death and in that day when He returns, even the living will join them as all take that final move from this life to the next.

For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we shall be changed. For this perishable body must put on the imperishable, and this mortal body must put on immortality. When the perishable puts on the imperishable, and the mortal puts on immortality, then shall come to pass the saying that is written: “Death is swallowed up in victory.” “O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?” The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. (1 Corinthians 15:53–57)

Some days I feel strongly drawn to this last relocation, but for the wrong reasons. Life is tiresome or difficult and I’d like that change and live where there will be no more tears or sorrow. Sometimes I am thinking of being with Jesus and my motives for moving are purer. 

Other days, I think I am not ready to go. The smiles of my family, conversations with friends, even my to-do list gives me great delight. How can I say goodbye to the pleasures of this life? But the Bible promises that last move will be a true home-going. Even though it might involve a trip through shadows, darkness, toil, blood and tears, Jesus will hold my hand and I will find that my destination is “better than I’d hoped when I had hoped the most.”

God’s daily care

Moving is stressful. Part of the stress is the physical demands of decluttering and packing up the leftovers. Another part of the stress comes from thinking too much. During our recent move, my husband and I both lost sleep thinking about what we needed to do the next day. Diminished sleep did not help the physical process at all. Now we still have much to do. I also must deal with that habit of planning ahead and letting those plans keep me awake.

Jesus knows. He knows the worries of ordinary people who wonder about their health, length of life, where the next meal will come from, and even what to wear on any given day. The following verses are God’s version of, “Don’t worry, be happy.”

And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life? And why are you anxious about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin, yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is alive and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? Therefore do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble. (Matthew 6:27–34)

Today we have a wedding, a possible showing of our former house, errands like getting the address changed in important documents, besides needing to sort and put many items away in our new house. In all of this, God reminds me that He knows these things must be done, but He still says first things first. Seek Him and seek to be like Jesus. In the hubbub of life, this is always the most important thing.

---

Thank You Jesus for these timely words. Most of the things we fuss about are really not very important, yet You know all about them. You understand the daily stuff that occupies our minds. You bid us not to be anxious about any of them. Because we are children of God, we can trust our Heavenly Father to make all the rough places smooth, taking care of our needs at just the right time and in just the right way. Praises to You for You amazing grace and kindness!

Moving is a test of faith

An old hymn contains these words: “Freely, freely, you have received. Freely, freely give. Go in My name and because you believe, others will know that I live.”
 

These words come from something Jesus said when He sent His disciples to minister to others.

Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse lepers, cast out demons. You received without paying; give without pay. (Matthew 10:8)

This is a faith principle. Those of us who know God through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ also know that He is our ultimate resource. We can give freely because we trust Him to take care of us. If I have something that someone else needs, money, goods, or time or whatever it might be, it came from God’s hand. If I give it away and find myself needing it again, God will supply. This requires faith, but it is also a mark of faith.

In the beginning of the church, after Jesus rose from the dead and ascended into heaven, Peter demonstrated that he had faith in Christ by giving what he had to a needy person. As he approached the temple, he saw a lame beggar looking for money.

But Peter said, “I have no silver and gold, but what I do have I give to you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk!” (Acts 3:6)

Then Peter took the beggar by the hand and lifted him to his feet. At that, the man’s feet and ankles were made strong and he leaped up, stood and began to walk. He entered the temple with Peter, walking, leaping, and praising God. (Acts 3:7–8) 

In this case, Peter didn’t have money to give, but his faith in God to heal was demonstrated by giving his time and attention to this needy man. He could have walked on by, or tossed him a coin. Instead, he gave him new life.

Genuine Christians learn that God is our source and resource. He teaches us them about His ability to supply all our needs, financial and otherwise. As Jesus said, “Seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things (food, clothing, etc.) will be added to you.” (Matthew 6:33) When we give ourselves and all that we have to Him, we are never short-changed.

Judas didn’t believe that. Instead of freely giving, he was greedy and grasping. When Jesus was blessed by a woman who poured expensive perfume on His feet, he complained about the use of it. His words suggested that he cared about the poor, but the author of the narrative knew that he was not a man of faith but a hypocrite.

But Judas Iscariot, one of his disciples (he who was about to betray him), said, “Why was this ointment not sold for three hundred denarii and given to the poor?” He said this, not because he cared about the poor, but because he was a thief, and having charge of the moneybag he used to help himself to what was put into it. (John 12:4–6)

To make these verses personal and practical, I have to examine my own attitude toward my possessions. Do I clutch them and say “mine” or can I freely give my stuff and anything else to others in need? 

Moving and downsizing has tested this. We have taken vanloads of good stuff (not junk) to Goodwill and other recipients. Some folks will be glad to get what we no longer need or use. While this is a good thing, I have to ask why I didn’t do it all before now. Why does anyone keep things not used or needed rather than find someone else who can use them? 

Perhaps the answer is that this takes time and life is busy. I don’t miss anything and even cannot remember most of what has gone out the door. That is a good indicator that it was held loosely. Can I say the same about the rest of it? Maybe. I hope so.

Moving is a good test of faith about what I trust to supply my needs. Someone said yesterday that the trouble with giving things away is that you find yourself needing that thing the next day or week. This has not been true for me, but even if it was, the answer is not hanging on to that stuff in case I will need it someday, but trusting God. He supplied all of it the first time so is quite able to resupply if I need it again.

---

Lord, You have abundantly blessed us. Help us to be abundantly generous, not grasping anything, but willingly giving whatever someone else needs, trusting You to take care of any void this might create.