Focus

Experience silence in the midst of your busy day. Take some time to relax into a time to be with God.

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Read

Acts 13:1-12 (NRSV)

Now in the church at Antioch there were prophets and teachers: Barnabas, Simeon who was called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen a member of the court of Herod the ruler, and Saul. While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.” Then after fasting and praying they laid their hands on them and sent them off.

So, being sent out by the Holy Spirit, they went down to Seleucia; and from there they sailed to Cyprus. When they arrived at Salamis, they proclaimed the word of God in the synagogues of the Jews. And they had John also to assist them. When they had gone through the whole island as far as Paphos, they met a certain magician, a Jewish false prophet, named Bar-Jesus. He was with the proconsul, Sergius Paulus, an intelligent man, who summoned Barnabas and Saul and wanted to hear the word of God. But the magician Elymas (for that is the translation of his name) opposed them and tried to turn the proconsul away from the faith. But Saul, also known as Paul, filled with the Holy Spirit, looked intently at him and said, “You son of the devil, you enemy of all righteousness, full of all deceit and villainy, will you not stop making crooked the straight paths of the Lord? And now listen—the hand of the Lord is against you, and you will be blind for a while, unable to see the sun.” Immediately mist and darkness came over him, and he went about groping for someone to lead him by the hand. When the proconsul saw what had happened, he believed, for he was astonished at the teaching about the Lord.

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Reflect

How amazing to be summoned by the Holy Spirit, set apart for a specific task, and sent on a mission. Yet today we are often summoned but fail to hear God’s call.

Barnabas and Saul fasted and prayed. Others prayed with them, laying hands upon them before sending them out to do the work to which God had called them. The scripture never tells us that they questioned or feared the journey. They fasted, prayed, sought the support of other Christians, and went. What faith!

Most of us today, even when we do recognize a “call,” tend to worry. We become concerned over what people will think of us, what our family is going to say, or how our friends will react. We miss the point that we are called to a purpose, a specific purpose. We, like Barnabas and Saul, are set apart for a specific task—if only we will go. God will take care of the rest.

Search your heart in prayer today. Is God calling you for a purpose? Pray and fast and go the way God is sending you. Many blessings!

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Pray

Oh gracious Lord, let us come to you today with open hearts and open minds. Fill us with your spirit, Lord, and lead us on the path of your calling. Allow us to have the faith to step out and fulfill the purpose for which you have called us. Calm us of our worldly concerns and only see you, Lord. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Go with God.