Moving in Faith

While in Turkey last month we traveled to the central section, the Mediterranean Coast, not so far from Syria.  We were at the ancient city of Seleucia.  If you aren't familiar with that place, it is an important seaport in the life of St. Paul and Barnabas.  The whole story is in the first verses of Acts 13.  The important part of the story is that it was from here that the mission work of Paul (and all of essentially all of Christianity) launched into the larger world.

(The photo at left is the "Old" Harbor with some piers still visible.  The photo below looks to the North West with the current Harbor visible at the end of the beach.)

Part of what struck me from this vantage point was this, Paul and Barnabas launched out in faith into an unknown sea, trusting only on the leading of the Holy Spirit of God and their confidence in the power of the resurrection to change lives in Jesus' Holy Name!  Little did they know where God was going to lead them.  They had no idea the wonderful things God would do through their faith and confidence.  Wow! oh Wow!



This has led me to give some thought to the question, "What 'sea shore' am I standing on today?"  Where is the Holy Spirit inviting me to launch out into unknown waters with only faith in the leading of the Holy Spirit and confidence in the Resurrection of Jesus?  Is it the nudge to pick up the phone and call my friend and ask for forgiveness?  Is it the longing in my heart to be able to confront a friend regarding their destructive behavior patterns?  Or is it the deep sense that I ought to make a trip across town and get more deeply involved in meaningful ministries to hurting neighborhoods?

My point is that the place to which I go from this "sea shore" might not be so profound or far away.  But what remains is that it might be just as formidable as what Paul faced in Seleucia a couple of thousand years ago.  And, just like Paul, what we have to go on to launch out into this unknown sea is the same thing Paul had:  The leading power of the Holy Spirit and confidence in the resurrection power of Jesus Christ.

Are you ready to sail?
I'm believing that I am....