The Way I Am

After some time Paul said to Barnabas, “Let’s go back and visit each city where we previously preached the word of the Lord, to see how the new believers are doing.” Barnabas agreed and wanted to take along John Mark. But Paul disagreed strongly, since John Mark had deserted them in Pamphylia and had not continued with them in their work. Their disagreement was so sharp that they separated. Barnabas took John Mark with him and sailed for Cyprus. Paul chose Silas, and as he left, the believers entrusted him to the Lord’s gracious care. Then he traveled throughout Syria and Cilicia, strengthening the churches there. [Acts 15.36-41]

Paul went first to Derbe and then to Lystra, where there was a young disciple named Timothy. His mother was a Jewish believer, but his father was a Greek. Timothy was well thought of by the believers in Lystra and Iconium, so Paul wanted him to join them on their journey. In deference to the Jews of the area, he arranged for Timothy to be circumcised before they left, for everyone knew that his father was a Greek. [Acts 16.1-3]

One day as we were going down to the place of prayer, we met a slave girl who had a spirit that enabled her to tell the future. She earned a lot of money for her masters by telling fortunes. She followed Paul and the rest of us, shouting, “These men are servants of the Most High God, and they have come to tell you how to be saved.” This went on day after day until Paul got so exasperated that he turned and said to the demon within her, “I command you in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her.” And instantly it left her. [Acts 16.16-18]

We are given a little more than just details of events in today's OYCB reading. We may also gain some insight into the personality of the Apostle Paul.

First, in Paul's disagreement with Barnabas, we can see that Paul is opinionated and perhaps a little unforgiving.

Then, when Paul had Timothy circumcised, he went against what the other apostles had concluded was not necessary. Perhaps Paul thought he knew better than the others.

And finally in today's reading, Paul demonstrated what appears to be a bit of a short temper with the demon-possessed girl.

One would be mistaken to conclude that Paul was a bad guy because of these discrepancies. However, we may all benefit from this insight into Paul's life to understand the humanity of all those who followed then, and those who follow now, the way of the LORD.

While some of the personality traits we see in Paul had no real detrimental effect on his life and ministry, we see that his short temper landed he and Silas in jail. We also see however that God takes even the circumstances that we may bring upon ourselves and uses them for His glory (the jailer being saved for example).

I suppose I recognize these character traits in Paul because I think I too share these not-so-desirable traits myself. What I see in Paul here is much the way I am. But, rather than being discouraged by Paul's shortcomings, I am encouraged that maybe God can and will use me too if I will continue to seek Him! I may also learn some valuable lessons about myself too that may in fact help me avoid circumstances of my own making (even though God may use my goofed-up circumstances, who's to say what might have happened otherwise?).

There is indeed a Kingdom teaching here is we will receive it!

Father, I am grateful for the life of the Apostle Paul. I find hope for myself being useful to You and I also find encouragement to look in the mirror at my own traits and decided which is more important - the way I am, or the way You want me to be...