Lesson Forty Six
PAUL SAYS GOOD-BY
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Memory Verse: Psalm 46:1
Further Study: Acts 20:1-21:16; The Acts of the Apostles, pp. 389-398; The Bible Story, vol. 10, pp. 103-108
My husband and I recently had to empty my in-laws house to prepare it to be sold. This was no easy task as the house was filled with 70-plus years of things accumulated during their long life together. The house was also located about 500 miles away from where we live so it took several trips to make it happen. We stayed at my sister-in-law’s house who lived around the corner about two streets away.
The work was sometimes overwhelming—the kind where you work all day, but you can’t see that anything was accomplished, but you know it was. One morning as we were leaving to go to the house for yet another day of work sorting, carrying, lifting, and discarding, as we were headed to the car I told my husband—“I think I’ll walk.” It wasn’t far, the morning was clear, and for about 10 minutes it was just me, my thoughts, and my prayers.
Our stories this week are taken from Paul’s third missionary journey. He’s decided to head to Jerusalem taking with him several men carrying offerings from the Gentile believers. Paul was in a hurry as he wanted to arrive in Jerusalem by Pentecost. At that time the fastest way to get anywhere was by ship so passage was booked for him, Luke, and his other companions. But an interesting detail emerges in Acts 20:13 as they boarded the ship. Paul decided to walk.
Paul decided to walk.
Now this isn’t any just around the corner walk. The city where he will meet the others is Assos, about 31 miles along the Roman Road. While the path was easy as well as safe, it would still take him about two days to arrive. But why walk when you could ride? Especially when you’ve already bought a ticket.
It’s pure speculation, but most commentators believe Paul recognized that he needed alone time, not just for himself, but with God. Many had warned him not to go to Jerusalem. Tears were shed during long goodbyes. One prophet demonstrated what would happen if he went. The Holy Spirit had revealed to him that his time in Jerusalem would not be easy. Yet Paul’s burden was great in spite of the task ahead. And walking alone to Assos was what was needed to shore him up for the path ahead.
When you’re busy, finding time for God isn’t easy.
When you’re busy, finding time for God isn’t easy. In fact, it can be so difficult we can realize we’ve gone days without meeting with Him. I don’t have any easy answers. Parents, in particular, will have years of interruptions, noise, chaos, and distractions. It’s a reason I write these devotions—hoping to plant one seed in a few minutes that can stimulate your thinking throughout the week. But the take-away is this: it’s a choice. Paul recognized what he needed, and he purposely chose to walk.
We must do the same. Make a choice to meet with God. It might only be five minutes. It might be at 3:00 a.m. when everyone is asleep. It may be when you’re in the shower or driving in the car. Make the choice to meet with God even for a few minutes and find yourself renewed.
Digging Deeper
A popular and amusing story is the one of Eutychus falling asleep in an upstairs window. We can say amusing because he does what many of us might be tempted to do—fall asleep during a sermon. But it has a potentially tragic ending.
The original Greek word referencing Paul talking into the night doesn’t necessarily mean that he was preaching. What it does indicate is that there was prolonged conversation. Paul is eager to fill his listeners with all he knows because he will leave in the morning. The room would have been filled with hot, oily torches that also may have contributed to Eutychus’ sleepiness.
This is the last instance of raising the dead in the Bible—there are eight total.
Making it Real
The assignment for this week is relatively easy but will be hard to accomplish. It’s carving out me-time with God. Determine that each day this week you will have five minutes or more with God. That might be taking the dog for a walk without everyone else. It might be setting your alarm for 3:00 a.m. It might mean waking up just a little earlier than everyone else and staying in bed but talking with God. I don’t know how it will work best for you but determine that this week will be different from the others.
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Merle Poirier writes from Silver Spring, Maryland, where she works as the operation manager for Adventist Review and Adventist World magazines as well as the designer for KidsView, a magazine for 8-12-year-olds. She enjoys spending time with her family including being a grandmother to two active little boys, who greatly enjoy Starting With Jesus, and a granddaughter, who’s delighting everyone with her smiles. She is blessed to have all three living close by, continually bringing joy and delight.
