COME OVER TO MACEDONIA

Exciting words from a troubled country to a man eager to do God's will.

So, Paul obeyed the call and went to Macedonia to accomplish God's purpose. Upon arrival he was stoned, beaten, and imprisoned. Just another day at the office in the life of an apostle. You know, sometimes, the old "get rich" message seems a little slippery when you are ducking baseball size rocks after you have just obeyed the voice of God.

Well, hey! No one ever said that Macedonia was Beulah Land now did they. Prosperity and tranquility are definitely a part of scripture. In fact, Revelation 20-22 dwells a great deal on the blessings that will come to God's people when He wraps up this part of His program. I do get a little bit nervous though for folks who keep looking for streets of gold right here on this planet. It's hard to want to go visit the rock piles of Macedonia if your heart is set on acquiring a gold driveway for your home.

Why do bad things happen to good people who are busy doing what God wants them to do? Well, there are a lot of old cliches we whip out. "All things work together for good . . . ." comes to mind as well as, "God must have needed 'him' more than we did."

Well, Job's comforters indeed! Put a little salt in the old wound, why not? When you lose a job, when you lose your house, when you lose your spouse, when you are killed for your faith, there just is not much in the way of words that will do. Maybe that is why Jesus talked about sending us "a comforter" when he went away. When words just don't make much difference, we have "The Comforter" - who will stand along-side us, and be with us, through the hurt and pain and sorrow.

Picture the 39th lash being laid across the back of Paul at Ephesus. Would you want to be the one to tell him,  "Paul, all things work together for good . . ." Might be true, but might not be what the man wants to hear right then and there. He would probably prefer a companion and comforter to help heal his wounds.

Before the turn of the century, missionary John Paton buried his wife and children in the soil of the New Hebrides Islands. The word "missionary furlough" was not invented then. You just went and lived with the people, and sometimes you died and never got back home. I thought of John and his wife and his children when I saw a picture of some Gideons distributing New Testaments to school children in the country of Vanuatu (one of those very same New Hebrides Islands).

Those school children and those scriptures were the result and product of the pain and sorrow of a man and his family who also heard a Macedonian call and said "yes" to God's call.  

God, I like my comfort zone. And, I have a hard time wanting to take up a cross and follow you. But, I have read The Book and I know what I must do. Please don't let me get trapped by the flesh pots of Egypt and yearn for the garlic and leeks of captivity when heavens doors open wide for those who seek your face.

Dear Jesus, help me take up my cross and heed the Macedonian call too.