My hibiscus flowers are all blooming right now! Yellow, Red, Orange, and more. You’ve heard the saying “bloom where you are planted”, right? And the idea of “go with the flow”! As Christians, God may take us to unusual places to share our faith, love others in Jesus name, or simply to be the sanctifying influence in a corrupt world that needs hope! Sometimes the ill intentions of others, usher us into these situations. Be ready! The apostle Paul certainly was. The Romans revered their law and believed no one was above it, and all citizens were protected by it. We have a similar view in America today- although sadly we are losing our reverence and becoming increasingly lawless. When the apostle Paul was unjustly accused of breaking Jewish law and creating riots, his accusers could not prove their case. The Roman regional rulers were fascinated by Paul and God gave him the opportunity to evangelize within the Roman government. He would be quite successful all the way up to Caesar’s household.
So, on the next day when Agrippa and Bernice came amid great pomp and entered the auditorium, accompanied by the commanders and the prominent men of the city, at the command of Festus, Paul was brought before them. And Festus *said, “King Agrippa, and all you gentlemen present with us, you see this man about whom all the people of the Jews appealed to me, both in Jerusalem and here, shouting that he ought not to live any longer. But I found that he had committed nothing deserving death; and since he himself appealed to the Emperor, I decided to send him. Yet, I have nothing definite about him to write to my lord. Therefore, I have brought him before you all and especially before you, King Agrippa, so that after the investigation has taken place, I may have something to write. For it seems absurd to me in sending a prisoner, not to indicate the charges against him as well.” Acts 25:23-27 NASB
Am I ready to represent God wherever He leads? Have I foreclosed opportunities because I am afraid of the unknown, love my life too much, or because I am unwilling?
God, as this day begins- You have much ahead. I have much planned. May I defer my plans so that I might fulfill Yours. Thank you for my lovely wife and her birthday today! Bless her even as she is a blessing to all of us.
