Acts 21:7-11: a reflection

7When we had finished the voyage from Tyre, we arrived at Ptolemais. We greeted the brothers and stayed with them one day. 8On the next day, we who were Paul’s companions departed and came to Caesarea. We entered into the house of Philip the evangelist, who was one of the seven, and stayed with him. 9Now this man had four virgin daughters who prophesied. 10As we stayed there some days, a certain prophet named Agabus came down from Judea. 11Coming to us and taking Paul’s belt, he bound his own feet and hands, and said, “The Holy Spirit says: ‘So the Jews at Jerusalem will bind the man who owns this belt, and will deliver him into the hands of the Gentiles.’”

As Paul journeys toward Jerusalem, the prophet Agabus takes Paul's belt, binds his own hands and feet with it, and declares that Paul will be bound and handed over to the Gentiles in Jerusalem. Paul is forewarned, plainly, of the imprisonment and suffering that await him there. And yet, as the account goes on to show, Paul presses on toward Jerusalem, not turning back from what God had called him to, though he now knows the cost. He goes forward faithfully toward his calling, even knowing hardship awaits.

Notice that Paul, forewarned of coming hardship, pressed on faithfully toward his calling. He was told plainly what awaited him in Jerusalem: bonds, imprisonment, delivery to his enemies. He could have turned back, avoided the danger; but he pressed on, faithful to what God had called him to, though he knew the cost. The forewarning did not turn him aside; he went forward toward his calling, accepting the hardship it would bring. His faithfulness to his calling was greater than his desire to avoid the suffering he was warned of.

That is worth taking to heart, for we too may be called to press on toward what God has for us, even knowing hardship awaits. There can be callings, tasks, paths God sets before us that we know will bring hardship or cost; and we can be tempted to turn back, to avoid the difficulty we foresee. But Paul, forewarned of imprisonment, pressed on faithfully toward Jerusalem. When God calls you to something you know will bring hardship, do not turn back to avoid the cost; press on faithfully toward your calling, as Paul pressed on toward Jerusalem though he knew bonds awaited him. Be willing to go forward toward what God has called you to, even when you know hardship awaits, rather than turning aside to avoid it, as Paul, forewarned of imprisonment, pressed on faithfully; for faithfulness to God's calling is worth more than avoiding the hardship it may bring.

Lord, as Paul journeys toward Jerusalem, the prophet Agabus takes Paul's belt, binds his own hands and feet with it, and declares that Paul will be bound and handed over to the Gentiles in Jerusalem. Paul is forewarned, plainly, of the imprisonment and suffering that await him. And yet Paul presses on toward Jerusalem, not turning back from what you had called him to, though he now knows the cost. He goes forward faithfully toward his calling, even knowing hardship awaits. Show me that Paul, forewarned of coming hardship, pressed on faithfully toward his calling. He was told plainly what awaited him: bonds, imprisonment. He could have turned back; but he pressed on, faithful to what you had called him to. The forewarning did not turn him aside. His faithfulness to his calling was greater than his desire to avoid the suffering he was warned of. Take that to my heart, for I too may be called to press on toward what you have for me, even knowing hardship awaits. There can be callings, paths you set before me that I know will bring hardship; and I can be tempted to turn back, to avoid the difficulty I foresee. But Paul pressed on toward Jerusalem. When you call me to something I know will bring hardship, keep me from turning back to avoid the cost; help me press on faithfully toward my calling, Lord, as Paul pressed on toward Jerusalem though he knew bonds awaited him. Make me willing to go forward toward what you have called me to, even when I know hardship awaits.