Shipwrecks and Snakebites

I've been mulling over some of the Apostle Paul's writings today. According to the ancient church historian Eusebius, Paul was around 60 years old when he was martyred. Around 60 years old...that's where I am...around 60. In 60 years I've made quite a few mistakes. I suppose I've had some accomplishments to be pleased with as well but when I look at Paul's 60 years there's absolutely no comparison between the two.

In ending one of his letters to the churches Paul said "Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus." When I read those words I think Paul couldn't have possibly meant ALL things! I mean, there's some pretty rough times I've had to go through in the past. Then I'm reminded of those things Paul walked through and I fall silent.

Paul wrote to the Corinthians saying he was beaten by his own people five times, each time receiving 39 lashes. Three times Paul was beaten with a rod and once he was "pelted with stones". Paul had been shipwrecked three times, spent a night and day in the open sea and once, after swimming to shore, bitten by a deadly viper. From the outside looking in it would seem that Paul was not just literally snake-bitten but figuratively snake-bitten as well.

I don't know what the rest of my years hold. As crazy as this world is going there may be things in the near future that make my "hard times" look like a walk in the park. The question in the back of my mind is how will I handle those challenges? There are Christians in other countries who know more about Paul's sufferings than I can even imagine. My "sufferings" truly seem trivial at the moment but it may not remain so. Then I remember what Jesus told His disciples as they were discussing signs of the end times: "Heaven and earth will pass away but my words will never pass away." His Word is an anchor to fasten to, a foundation to build upon and an everlasting covenant to believe in when everything else is falling to pieces.

To know Christ is to know peace far beyond the world and all it's chaos. If you're currently a little short on peace I would encourage you to choose Christ and experience this peace that passes all understanding for yourself.

You can read some of Paul's stories here:

Acts 27-28, 2 Corinthians 11, 1 Thessalonians 5, Mark 13, Philippians 4

Choose Christ.pdf

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