Road Warrior ToolboxSample

Road Warrior Basics Six: Be Content

One of the primary goals of Road Warriors is to “return stronger”. For that to happen, we will have to define success and be content with attaining it. If the mission of a Road Warrior is to make Christ famous everywhere she goes, then success is representing Him well no matter what reaction to the Gospel that people have. Notice Paul’s contentment with the “results” of his gospel presentation on Mars’ Hill. 

“When they heard about the resurrection of the dead, some of them sneered, but others said, "We want to hear you again on this subject." At that, Paul left the Council. A few men became followers of Paul and believed. Among them was Dionysius, a member of the Areopagus, also a woman named Damaris, and a number of others" (Acts 17:32-34). 

How ironic are these “sneers” and deflections. That could have been Paul’s occasion for great discouragement, but it wasn’t. He’d learned on the road that the more full of themselves a people becomes, the less room for God they have. That wasn’t Paul’s problem, it was theirs. But their unbelief and rejection of the gospel wasn’t universal. Paul’s definition of success was representing Christ well. Though most did not repent and believe, Paul already considered his mission in Athens a success. And I’m sure he drew great joy from the conversion of Dionysius and Damaris and the other intellectuals who became believers that day 

Applications:

1.  Refuse to identify rejection with failure.

“For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. 19 For it is written: ‘I will destroy the wisdom of the wise;
the intelligence of the intelligent I will frustrate’” (1 Corinthians 1:18-19).  

Christian Road Warriors should never identify rejection of their gospel message with failure because that’s not what it is. They should identify the faithful presentation of their gospel message with success because that’s exactly what it is (no matter what the response)! 

2.  Be content and rejoice in the work of the Spirit when anyone believes unto salvation. 

“Jews demand signs and Greeks look for wisdom,  but we preach Christ crucified: a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles,  but to those whom God has called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God” (1 Corinthians 1:22-24). 

Paul rejoiced in being allowed to witness the power and wisdom of God in changing the lives of those who repent and believe in Jesus, and so should every Christian Road Warrior who is blessed to see God at work.