Do you ever wonder how Paul found the energy/courage to keep preaching, keep sharing the good news? He was run out of multiple towns, shipwrecked, imprisoned, flogged and rejected by many of the Jewish leaders.
But God.
At the beginning of his ministry, God had given him a word to let him know this was going to be tough. But he had also given him a promise. In Acts 9:15 ‘But the Lord said to him [Ananias], “Go, for he is a chosen instrument of mine to carry my name before the Gentiles and kings and the children of Israel. 16 For I will show him how much he must suffer for the sake of my name.”’ When it got really hard he had another vision. Acts 23:11 ‘The following night the Lord stood by him and said, “Take courage, for as you have testified to the facts about me in Jerusalem, so you must testify also in Rome.”’ 20+ years after his conversion this prophecy came true and Paul was able to preach to the Emperor (Caesar) of the day. The most influential person in the world at that time!
God still speaks today. God still has a plan and a purpose for each of our lives. He will give you the direction, he will give you the encouragement along the way, and he will be faithful to bring it to fruition when the time is right. How exciting!
