Czech Republic: Day #1
I remember reading a Peanuts cartoon where Lucy says “I hate ups and downs. I want all ups.” She then went on to ask: “Why can’t I have all ups?” Good question, Lucy-girl. After a full day of travel, we arrived in Prague without incident — unless one considers a substantially delayed flight an incident. As I prepare for twenty-three days of non-stop ministry in eight countries, I am trying to get myself prepared for the inevitable ups and downs of missionary life. Of course, like little Lucy, I, too, want all ups. But, the older I get the more I realize that the downs also serve their purpose.
Consider with me the adventures of Barnabas and Saul on their first missionary journey (Recorded in Acts 13-14):
The Ups
Barnabas and Paul are sent by their home church “to proclaim the word of God” (Acts 13:4).
The Downs
Immediately they are forced to deal with a false prophet (Acts 13:6-11).
The Ups
As a result of this opposition, one of the community leaders comes to faith, “being amazed at the teaching of the Lord” (Acts 13:12).
The Ups
The two missionaries then travel to another city to give a “word of exhortation for the people” (Acts 13:15) and to urge believers “to continue in the grace of God” (Acts 13:43).
The Downs
The religious leaders are “filled with jealousy and began contradicting the things spoken” (Acts 13:45).
The Ups
Paul and Barnabas are not phased a bit. Instead they “spoke out boldly” (Acts 13:46) and as a result many “began rejoicing and glorifying the word of the Lord; and as many as had been appointed to eternal life believed” (Acts 13:48).
The Downs
The religious leaders then “instigated a persecution” and “drove them out” (Acts 13:50).
The Ups
Undaunted, Paul and Barnabas travel to yet another city and spoke in such a manner “that a large number of people believed” (Acts 14:1).
The Downs
Again the religious leaders “stirred up the minds” of the people and “embittered them” against Paul and Barnabas (Acts 14:2).
The Ups
This just emboldened Paul and Barnabas and they “spent a long time…speaking boldly with reliance upon the Lord” (Acts 14:3).
The Downs
However, the text tells us that this time the people “were divided” and some sided with the religious leaders and some with the apostles (Acts 14:4). Finally, the townspeople do unite around one cause — to get rid of Paul and Barnabas.
The Ups
Seeing this as a closed door of opportunity, the two missionaries leave the region and “continued to preach the gospel” (Acts 14:7). There they heal a lame man.
The Downs
Much to their dismay, the people treated them like gods (cf. Acts 14:8-18). The religious leaders are able to take this same adoring crowd and convince them to try to kill Paul. They stoned him and “dragged him out of the city, supposing him to be dead” (Acts 14:19).
The Ups
Even this didn’t stop Paul. He went on to another city and “made many disciples” (Acts 14:21) and continued “strengthening the souls of the disciples, encouraging them to continue in the faith” (Acts 14:22) and “commended them to the Lord in whom they had believed” (Acts 14:23). Paul and Barnabas then travel to other cities, eventually making their way back to their home church “from which they had been commended to the grace of God for the work that they had accomplished” (Acts 14:26). They gather their home church together, and “began to report all things that God had done with them and how He had opened a door of faith to the Gentiles” (Acts 14:27). I love how the account ends — “And they spent a long time with the disciples (Acts 14:28).” After their roller-coaster mission trip, I think I understand why.
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