Lordship and first loves

Acts 14:21-28
21 After preaching the Good News in Derbe and making many disciples, Paul and Barnabas returned to Lystra, Iconium, and Antioch of Pisidia, 22 where they strengthened the believers. They encouraged them to continue in the faith, reminding them that we must suffer many hardships to enter the Kingdom of God. 23 Paul and Barnabas also appointed elders in every church. With prayer and fasting, they turned the elders over to the care of the Lord, in whom they had put their trust. 24 Then they traveled back through Pisidia to Pamphylia. 25 They preached the word in Perga, then went down to Attalia. 26 Finally, they returned by ship to Antioch of Syria, where their journey had begun. The believers there had entrusted them to the grace of God to do the work they had now completed. 27 Upon arriving in Antioch, they called the church together and reported everything God had done through them and how he had opened the door of faith to the Gentiles, too. 28 And they stayed there with the believers for a long time.

In chapter 15 Paul and Barnabas are sent to Jerusalem as delegates of their church on a matter of the law vs grace, and afterwards are sent back to the same church.

The day after they get beat up, Paul and Barnabas go to Derbe and make many disciples. What a short little sentence to describe such a trip. Isn't it funny how the the bad experience warranted half a chapter of the Bible, and the good only half a sentence. The other half of that sentence says they went back through all the places where they had had trouble and preached again to the believers - encouraging them to keep the faith and to endure the trials in their lives - including persecution.
It is easy for me to think that the writer got it wrong here, that he should have spent more time talking about all the great conversions in Derbe, but I know that is not the case. So why such a big difference? Maybe it is so that we will see the example that Paul and Barnabas set - so that we won't take out of context the rejoicing and the conversion of the Derbites and only focus on that. We serve God not the joys of men, we seek to do His will, not just live on the mountain top. This is a hard passage for me because it focuses on the suffering for Christ.

Then it comes in with a one two punch and says - "Paul and Barnabas also appointed elders in every church. With prayer and fasting, they turned the elders over to the care of the Lord, in whom they had put their trust." So not only do we suffer, but now we have to trust God with things beyond our control - we have to turn leadership and Lordship over to Him. They appoint elders and then they let it go and let God have control - they step out of the way so that the Lord can lead His church. I hate to say it - but they are wise to do so, it is probably step out of the way or get run over.

Finally they return to the place they departed from and they stay there a long while. This sounds like a home church to me. I think of it as their first mission and I wonder if this mission trip they have just come back from has stretched them - causing them to grow, causing them to seek God in a new way, they stay at the home church and they act as leaders in the church - they return to their first mission and they are happy. The Bible doesn't say they are happy, I am just inferring that.

So how does this apply to me -

First off - don't expect the headlines of your life to read as great days and successes, expect them to read as tragedy "the house burnt down", "kids were misbehaving", "outcast", "unloved", "rejected." But even when they do, praise God for always being there to help you drag yourself back into town.

Secondly - look for the half a sentence. Look for the things that make life sweet, even when they are buried between troubles and long travels - hang on to the good things that God has done and is doing in your life.

Thirdly - turn everything over to God - in whom you have put your trust. Let Him sort out the details of life. Allow Him the Lordship that He deserves in your life, you obey and then step out of the way and let him do the work. I'm saying that you listen and follow directions, and then you put the result in His hands.

Finally - rest and find peace with your first love. Apply that in all areas -Jesus - my deliverer, comforter, protection, friend, Drason - my husband, Music, Counseling and Children - my life's work- in all areas, return to and rest in your first love, it is where you belong, you will be happy and refreshed there.

Amanda