Read: Acts 21:1–14
Since he would not be persuaded, we remained silent except to say, “The Lord’s will be done.” Acts 21:14
In the end, they agreed to disagree and to put their trust in the Lord. Paul’s disciples wanted to steer their leader away from trouble, and Paul wanted to face trouble head on. Those who loved Paul wanted to preserve his life, while Paul wanted to extend God’s mission. By traveling to Jerusalem, Paul might have become a martyr, and yet, avoiding Jerusalem might have compromised his ministry. Paul and his followers disagreed about the course of action to be taken. Paul wasn’t budging, and those who loved him held firm to their position.
There is little doubt that Paul was a stubborn fellow; when he made up his mind no one was going to change it—even if he was wrong. Paul’s followers possessed a similarly stubborn love for their teacher and friend. In the end, the disagreement was dropped and all involved decided to entrust all things to God. They believed that their wills were ultimately subject to the sovereign will of God. They trusted that God was able to use their efforts—those well planned and those ill advised—to further the kingdom. The evidence is in the conclusion of the story itself—Paul became a martyr, the message continued to spread, and the ministry flourished.
Where in your life do you need to surrender and say, “God’s will be done?”
Lord, I like to make plans, and I am often stubbornly wedded to my own will. And yet, I know how many mistakes and missteps I have made and taken in my life. How remarkable it is that I still doggedly insist on my own way! Thankfully, You are able to use my clumsy efforts to further Your will. You have been clear from the beginning, Your will is going to be done on earth as it is in heaven—whether I embrace that reality or not! In Jesus’ name, I pray. AMEN.