Short time or long

by Dianne Eckermann

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Paul replied, ‘Short time or long – I pray to God that not only you but all who are listening to me today may become what I am, except for these chains’ (Acts 26:29).

Read Acts 26:18–29

Arachnophobia, a fear of spiders, is allegedly the most common phobia in the world, followed by glossophobia, the fear of public speaking. There is also a relatively new phobia, nomophobia, or the fear of being without your mobile phone, which is catching up. St Paul’s attitude towards spiders is not recorded; however, he is known for his ability to craft and deliver his amazing message about Jesus and his victory over death.

In today’s reading, Paul is again speaking up, not just in public, but before King Agrippa. Paul is a notable orator, and his speech on this occasion displays just how well he can deliver his message, even though the Jewish leaders arrested him and he stands before the king in chains. He is not overawed by authority or the presence of the king and, with the help of God, he stands to ‘testify to small and great alike’ (verse 22).

The end of Paul’s speech is about how his message about Jesus is consistent with the teachings of Moses and the prophets. When he is interrupted and accused of being mad, he responds calmly and politely, yet again stressing that nothing he says is new to those familiar with the prophets and flattering King Agrippa by including him among the knowledgeable.

Paul’s response to Agrippa at the end of his speech is most powerful. ‘Short time or long,’ he begins. In other words, time does not matter, as he will continue to preach about Jesus for as long as it takes. He continues, ‘I pray to God.’ It is God’s message he is sharing, and through God’s help that he can stand before Agrippa and his accusers and speak. His message also is not just in response to Agrippa, but to all who are listening to him. It is not a message just for the powerful or for leaders; God is for everyone. Finally, we can imagine a wry smile when Paul says he prays that all will be like him, except, of course, for his chains.

We, too, can thank God that if Paul ever had a fear of public speaking, he overcame it, and many years later his voice is still heard.

Heavenly Father, thank you for all who share your message and for helping us to understand the full extent of your love for us all. Guide us through your Holy Spirit as we live out your truth and love in our world. Amen.

Dianne has served in Lutheran education as a teacher, school leader and system leader at Lutheran Education Australia. Now retired from full-time work, she continues to volunteer on several committees and as a school board member. She lives in the Adelaide Hills with her husband, Robert, and is in strong demand as a babysitter for her three grandchildren.

Obey God above all

by Dianne Eckermann

Click here to download your printable verse to carry with you today.

Peter and the other apostles replied, ‘We must obey God rather than human beings!’ (Acts 5:29).

Read Acts 5:27–32

Peter was never afraid to speak up. On this occasion, he is appearing before the Jewish court, the Sanhedrin, and not for the first time. He has been imprisoned twice and has just escaped. He and the other disciples are determined to pass on the good news about Jesus, and they are not letting the authorities stand in their way. Their message was threatening to those in power; however, despite all attempts to keep Peter and his message locked away, both Peter and the message escaped.

Living in Australia and New Zealand, we are unlikely to be arrested for attending church or sharing the love of God. We can, however, be subjected to more subtle pressures such as scornful rejection of Christianity, attempts to ridicule believers or other belittling comments that are intended to humiliate. This is a form of persecution different from the imprisonment and suffering of Peter but is still a barrier to overcome. Even if we are not confident in speaking up for our faith, we can all be empowered by listening to the word of God rather than being discouraged by others’ words.

There has never been a time in history when so much information has been available to almost everyone as it is today through the far-reaching resources of the internet. With the limited resources available to them, we read how the followers of Jesus in these early years of the church did all they could to bring the compelling message of God at work in his world to others. They were not self-serving or projecting their own desires or a wish for fame. Instead, they were led by the Holy Spirit to proclaim all they knew about the story of Jesus and the hope it brought to the world in the early years of the church – a hope that continues to this day.

Heavenly Father, we thank you for sending your Spirit into our lives and ask that you help us to keep our focus on you and all you have done and continue to do in our lives. We also ask that you help us to follow the example of the apostles and obey you rather than human beings as we live out your word each day. Amen.

Dianne has served in Lutheran education as a teacher, school leader and system leader at Lutheran Education Australia. Now retired from full-time work, she continues to volunteer on several committees and as a school board member. She lives in the Adelaide Hills with her husband, Robert, and is in strong demand as a babysitter for her three grandchildren.

Greater or lesser

by Dianne Eckermann

Click here to download your printable verse to carry with you today.

He must become greater; I must become less (John 3:30).

Read John 3:25–36

If you ever need to look up advice on introducing a guest speaker, one of the first points emphasises that it’s not about you – it’s about the person you are introducing. This is something John the Baptist certainly understood. It’s not necessarily something that comes easily to people. In fact, the envious reactions of John’s followers towards Jesus, who was attracting large crowds of people to be baptised, are a more human response.

We may not all be as confident or as comfortable about who we are as John. He has confidence in his role as the person sent ahead of the Messiah. He is comfortable with the idea that, in this role, he will become lesser, while the Messiah, Jesus, will become greater.

This is not as easy as John makes it look. Unlike his followers, John is not envious of Jesus because he knows it is not about him; it is about the one who is coming after him, that is, Jesus.

John lives truly for God’s glory. He shows tremendous humility by stepping aside to allow Jesus to become great. At the same time, he also shows tremendous confidence and joy in preparing the way for Jesus, knowing that this is his role.

Instead of accusing his followers of envy, John reminds them he has always said he was the one sent ahead of the Messiah, the one who is greater than all. John’s example is one we can follow by confidently understanding our role and knowing when to graciously allow others to fulfil their roles.

Lord, give us the certainty of knowing who we are and how we live for your glory. Guide our footsteps as we follow you and grow in our understanding of your great sacrifice for all people. Amen.

Dianne has served in Lutheran education as a teacher, school leader and system leader at Lutheran Education Australia. Now retired from full-time work, she continues to volunteer on several committees and as a school board member. She lives in the Adelaide Hills with her husband, Robert, and is in strong demand as a babysitter for her three grandchildren.