The Book of Acts: Turn Your World Upside DownSample

Today’s Devotional:

Has there ever been a time when you committed to something but didn’t realize how uncomfortable it would be until you were in it? I have had many. But one that comes to mind is when I was on a mission trip to Thailand. Before I went, I made a commitment to myself that I would eat everything in front of me, no matter where I was or what situation I was in. I mean, after all, who doesn’t like Thai food? I might not have known the language, but I planned to build relationships however I could. Sounds reasonable, right? Unfortunately, I hadn’t quite anticipated the food that was actually going to be put in front of me. From fried crickets to frog legs to fruit that smelled like baby diapers, it soon became very uncomfortable, but I knew that God had called me on purpose for a purpose. Sometimes, we need to choose God’s calling over our comfort, but that may take some courage!

In Acts 21, we see Paul on a missionary journey that would lead him to Jerusalem to face some potentially uncomfortable situations. Not the “eating smelly fruit” uncomfortable, but the “go to prison or be killed” kind of uncomfortable. During this journey, Paul had plenty of people trying to dissuade him from continuing. They wanted him to see the comforts that he currently had and stay there. But Paul knew that God called him on purpose for a purpose. So he was willing to be courageous and step into his calling even though it might be uncomfortable or even cost him his life.

Acts 21:13 (NIV) Then Paul answered, “…..I am ready not only to be bound, but also to die in Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus.”

Now that is next-level commitment! Could there be something God is calling you to commit to that might be uncomfortable to do in the name of Jesus? Maybe it is going on a mission trip, starting a group with your neighbors, or helping “Get There First” by serving kids or students.

You never know the impact that you may have because you were obedient to God’s calling to possibly get uncomfortable. In my case, I found out after living in Thailand for six years that my willingness to eat anything that was put in front of me resulted in people inviting me into their homes and into their lives which then provided an opportunity to share about Jesus.

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Today’s devotional was written by Pastor Janna Johns.

Questions to Consider:

• What is God calling you to do, but you have hesitated to do it because it might be uncomfortable? What steps will you take today to pursue that?
• How could your obedience to God’s calling impact your family? Your friendships? Your workplace? Your school? Your community? Our world?

Prayer:

God, thank you for calling me on purpose for a purpose. I pray today that I will step into that purpose even if it feels uncomfortable. Thank you that you will be with me each step of the way. Amen.