If Only We Had The Faith

“If Only We Had The Faith”

By Zach Wood

Acts 20:22-24 NLT

And now I am bound by the Spirit to go to Jerusalem. I don’t know what awaits me, except that the Holy Spirit tells me in city after city that jail and suffering lie ahead.  But my life is worth nothing to me unless I use it for finishing the work assigned me by the Lord Jesus—the work of telling others the Good News about the wonderful grace of God.

The Apostle Paul was one of the most bold and courageous men we could ever read about in the New Testament.  He went from persecuting Christians to becoming one and then went on to do things for the Kingdom that makes most of our jaws drop in awe.  Paul was a bold man and he was on fire for the Lord!

Read through this passage a few times and let the words sink in.  Think about what Paul is saying here.  He did not know what awaited him, except that troubles and jail were in his future and he accepted that. The passion he had was so strong that it didn’t matter what was going to happen to him along the way.

Paul also said that his life meant nothing unless he could use it to spread the Kingdom message.  Nothing else meant more to him than this mission.

What about us?  Do we have this faith?  Come on, be honest!  I will tell you that I often do not have this faith, but I wish I did.  I think about it and am ashamed so often that I back down at the smallest obstacles that come to me.  I get timid to share my faith with non-believers.  I have no problem sharing my experiences with those who are in the faith, but I am not good at it with non-believers.  So many fears stop me and I become timid. 

I fear that so many of us have fallen prey to the convenience of life that we live each day.  We have so many things at our fingertips and the conveniences just go on and on.  We don’t have to wait for much these days and so much is catered to us.  We like convenience!  Let’s admit it!  The moment something arises that brings us out of that convenience and comfort, we tend to back down. 

I’m wondering what it will take to bring us to a point where we are as bold as Paul?  We all have different personalities and respond to situations in different ways.  However, God does not excuse us from fulfilling His mission because certain things become uncomfortable and inconvenient. 

I cannot help but read words of Paul and ask myself, “If only I had the faith!” 

Do we?