SWHW Bible Reading Plan: May 2021Sample

Top Takeaway From Lauren Diggs:

“And after Paul and Barnabas had no small dissension and debate with them, Paul and Barnabas and some of the others were appointed to go up to Jerusalem to the apostles and the elders about this question. So, being sent on their way by the church, they passed through both Phoenicia and Samaria, describing in detail the conversion of the Gentiles, and brought great joy to all the brothers.” Acts 15:2-3 

Paul and Barnabas were sent on a mission. They were headed to Jerusalem to clear up some confusion about circumcision and salvation. But, as they “passed through” other towns on their way to Jerusalem, they made sure to stop and encourage the other believers in the love of Christ and the good works being done in and through the church. 

Now, just before this (Chapter 14), Paul had been stoned and left for dead. So, if anyone would get a pass on serving others and going the extra mile in this situation, it’d be Paul. It would’ve been really easy (and understandable) for him to stick to the mission of getting to Jerusalem and doing only what he’d been sent to do. 

He could’ve gotten tunnel vision on the task set before him and not seen anything or anyone outside of it. He could’ve used the fact that he’d been nearly stoned to death as an excuse to just stick to what he was there to do. He could’ve determined what he’d already done was enough and looked for others to encourage him for all his hard work and sacrifice instead. But he didn’t. 

Paul knew that even though he had a specific purpose at hand, encouraging others in their faith as he “passed through” was part of that purpose. He knew how easy it would be to focus solely on the destination and miss out on opportunities to share Jesus along the way. He daily lived out “love God, love others,” and instead of being self-focused, this led him to be self-less. ‭

Hebrews‬ ‭10:24-25 tells us, ‭“And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.” 

Now, while each of us has been called by God to a specific place (READ: Where you are is where you’re called — at home, at work, and in community), you must not neglect others as you go. If we’re so focused on the destination of our mission instead of the actual mission itself, we’re missing what we’ve been called to do. Let us not get so caught up with where we’re headed that we disregard the very people God has placed in our path as we go. 

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for Your Word and how You use it to keep us grounded in You. Please forgive us when we become so focused on the end goal that we miss You and those around us You’ve called us to serve. Open our eyes to see every opportunity to encourage others and share the love of Christ as we walk out our purpose on this earth. And give us what we need to live out “love God, love others” daily. We love You, Lord. Amen.