Devotional - March,13, 2024
Scripture: Galatians 2:1-2 Then after fourteen years, I went up again to Jerusalem, this time with Barnabas. I took Titus along also. I went in response to a revelation and, meeting privately with those esteemed as leaders, I presented to them the gospel that I preach among the Gentiles. I wanted to be sure I was not running and had not been running my race in vain.
Running his life in vain..., what does Paul mean? Have you ever considered that about yourself? Well.., let's work some definitions shall we? What does the word vain mean? We all know what a vein is, the tubes that channel important things like our blood around. But, what about vain. Turns out, it means having or showing an excessively high opinion of one's appearance, abilities, or worth. It also means producing no result; useless. One could say the one definition leads to the other. Look at how much time Paul spent in preparation to share the Gospel. Look who he goes to to learn from, be corrected by, minister alongside before accepting his call to apostleship. Seventeen years. Like I have said, some historians and academics have cited a timeline almost double that amount of time. Too bad Paul did not live in our time, he could have taken a few on-line courses, listened to some ministers on TV and radio, and easily been ready to go in less than seventeen months, weeks, or even days! I'm kidding... I need to stay on track because Paul's main concern in this text is important. He does not want his life and ministry, which for Paul are the same, to be in vain. He continues, and will continue, to test himself with what he has learned from God (Christ) to ensure he stays on track. In his letters, we will see him struggle, nothing wrong with struggling with God. The Galatian church has only been around for a few years and already they were veering off-course from what they had been taught. Paul is trying to tell them through his testimony that, if what was being taught by the Judaizers were true, he would be doing it. But he is not, nor should they be, nor should we. Oddly enough, we have a hard time listening to our own testimony. That part of us that says, what are you doing? You know where this leads. It's one of the anti-vanity devices God has given us. I'm not saying you should avoid new things or stifle living your life to the fullest, but do so conscientiously. Aware of the lessons God has taught you.
Pray with me.., Holy God we avoid or deny a lot in our life. At times, we confess vanity is a problem. Help us to let go, and walk in the grace and truth that You teach. We ask Your blessing upon our loved ones. Bless them according to their needs and bless our church so we can be Your people, here and now, in Jesus' name, Amen.
God's peace,
Pastor Brian
