THE SEND: Luke & ActsSample

In Acts 14, we get a glimpse of Paul’s very first missionary journey—where he leaves his home church and travels to different cities and countries to tell the people the Good News of Jesus.

Just a few chapters earlier, in Acts 9, we read about Paul’s personal encounter with Jesus and how it changed his life. He was not only transformed internally, but he chose to give his ‘yes’ to the Great Commission of Jesus to go and tell everyone, everywhere, about the Gospel.

As you read this chapter, you’ll notice a lot of place names (maybe try counting them). You’ll also notice something else: Paul and Barnabas face tough opposition in many of the places they go. But opposition is never the end of the story.

Why? Because when Paul and Barnabas said ‘yes’ to Jesus and his call to preach the Gospel, they weren’t just saying ‘yes’ to the easy moments or the exciting ones. Their ‘yes’ didn’t just last as long as their comfort did. Their ‘yes’ to Jesus was a ‘yes’ regardless of the cost, regardless of the place. This was a ‘yes’ that was given again and again and again.

What about you? How do you view your ‘yes’ to Jesus? Is it something that sits within the borders of your own comfort? Or do you want to give Jesus a wholehearted, open-ended ‘yes’? Do you want to give him that yes every day?

So what does it look like for you to give Jesus your wholehearted ‘yes’? Ask him today to shape your heart to become like Paul’s—a heart that says yes again and again to wherever he leads, whenever he leads, to whomever he leads you to.