Afterward I went to the regions of Syria and Cilicia.

Galatians 1:21

Quick recap: After Saul meets Christ on the road to Damascus. He is converted by the grace and mercy of God. He is transformed by God’s love, and in faith, turns from murderous religious fanatic to Apostolic missionary. Paul spends 3 years in Arabia, then comes to Jerusalem for 15 days to learn from Peter and James. Then we read that he traveled to the region of Syria and Cilicia.

Although Paul doesn’t give the details in his letter to the Galatians, we read more about his 15 days in Jerusalem and subsequent travels, in the book of Acts.

He talked and debated with the Hellenistic Jews, but they tried to kill him. When the believers learned of this, they took him down to Caesarea and sent him off to Tarsus.

Acts 9:29-30

Apparently the Hellenistic, or syncretistic Greek Jews, had a real problem with Paul. I find this fascinating. Not only did the Gospel threaten their religious worldview (Judaism) but also their social framework. We especially see this as Paul develops further arguments in other letters, calling on our citizenship to be focused on and resting in our Heavenly home.

More importantly, this persecution was planned and purposeful in God’s providence.

Again, we don’t get any real details in Galatians, but if we jump ahead in the story to Acts 15:41, we find out there were Churches that Paul planted on this first unplanned missionary journey.

God often does His work in, around and through us in similar ways. No, it isn’t always through suffering, like Paul’s persecution and death threats. But sometimes it is through hard times. Sometimes God moves us in a direction we don’t want to go, or at least didn’t see before. Every place and situation God puts us in, is an opportunity for us to do one of three things, or participate with Him in three different directions.

1. Upward, connecting with Him.
2. Outward, connecting with Unbelievers and the World
3. Inward, connecting with the Body, or Brothers and Sisters of Faith.

No matter where you are, or what you are doing, you have the opportunity to respond upwardly, outwardly, or inwardly.

Paul did not want to leave Jerusalem, and he certainly didn’t want to be threatened. He probably didn’t have a clear picture of what God had planned for him in Syria or Cilicia. Regardless, he knew he had to be faithful.

We know Paul had a deep commitment to connecting to God. He was devoted to prayer, scripture reading and personal time of abiding in His presence. Just because his travel plans got interrupted, we can rightfully assume he maintained these disciplines.

We know Paul was passionate about reaching unbelievers and preaching the gospel. He did this everywhere he went. He didn’t avoid connecting or stay inside his own circle just because he had to go somewhere new or in an uncomfortable term.

We know Paul connected with the body, his fellow believers, every chance he got. He relied on them for support, encouragement and prayer.

Do you find yourself in a new, or challenging position or location? Have you questioned why God has put before a set of circumstances, challenges or obstacles? Have you suffered, and wondered how this could be made for your good? Perhaps you have struggled to be faithful at times, especially when it is through times of adversity. Learn from Paul. Look for ways to connect upward, outward and inward.

Different seasons in our lives will have us leaning into one of these directions a little more than the rest. However, if you can’t identify any direction in your life right now, you should take pause and evaluate your heart and motives.

Remember, even if you are actively doing these things, God doesn’t promise a life of relative ease. After all, Paul was in fact connecting upward by being faithful in overflow, preaching the gospel. He was being faithful, connecting outwardly to the Hellenistic Jews, even though they wanted to kill him. And, he was being faithful to connect inwardly to the believers, and they helped him in his time of trouble.

This is the true Christian life. Upward. Outward. Inward. If you need help in one of these areas, contact us today and we would be honored to help get you on track.

Peace be with you.