The Book of Acts ~ Study Forty-Eight

"The Truly Amazing Race"

Acts 14:21-28 (NLT) After preaching the Good News in Derbe and making many disciples, Paul and Barnabas returned to Lystra, Iconium, and Antioch of Pisidia, where they strengthened the believers. They encouraged them to continue in the faith, reminding them that we must suffer many hardships to enter the Kingdom of God. Paul and Barnabas also appointed elders in every church. With prayer and fasting, they turned the elders over to the care of the Lord, in whom they had put their trust. Then they traveled back through Pisidia to Pamphylia. They preached the word in Perga, then went down to Attalia.
    Finally, they returned by ship to Antioch of Syria, where their journey had begun. The believers there had entrusted them to the grace of God to do the work they had now completed. Upon arriving in Antioch, they called the church together and reported everything God had done through them and how he had opened the door of faith to the Gentiles, too. And they stayed there with the believers for a long time.

The "Amazing Race" has nothing on the race that Paul and Barnabas ran. If you've never watched the reality show called the "Amazing Race" it's a race where two people, as a team, compete against other teams that travel around the globe. They have to find clues and do crazy stunts in order to get to their final destination known as the "pitstop" where they are either eliminated or enjoy a time of refreshment before going on the next leg of the race.

Paul and Barnabas ran a more important and definitely more grueling race. We find them returning to Antioch for their pitstop. They had traveled to Lystra, Iconium, Antioch, Perga and back to Antioch.  Their challenge was to bring the Good News of Christ and encourage others in their faith, reminding them that there is hard times on this earth. They had saw miracles and many people receiving Jesus. They faced opposition, adulation and stoning. Now, they were home for a time of renewal.

Like these faithful apostles, we too are on an amazing race. We will face struggles and victory, sadness and joy, but ultimately we will enter into the pitstop of all pitstops ~ The Kingdom of God ruled by King Jesus.

Jeremiah 31:25-26 (CEV) Those who feel tired and worn out will find new life and energy, and when they sleep, they will wake up refreshed.

Are you tired or are you refreshed? Do you take the opportunity to enter into a time of rest with Jesus? There are times when you need to step out of the game and find renewal at the feet of Jesus. There are times unlike regular resting. It's even more that daily quiet time with the Lord. You may really need to renew and allow God to heal the battles wounds and bind up a bruised heart. This is a time of prayer and meditation of the direction He has for you.

Life gets in the way sometimes. By that, I mean we get busy doing everyday things and not taking time out for God. He wants us to enter His rest because He knows that these earthly bodies we have are limited. Our minds get over-full. Our souls become weary and He's the only One who can make it all better.

Psalm 30:2 (NLT) O Lord my God, I cried to you for help, and you restored my health.

For the last three years I have been physically sick from a reaction to an arthritis medication that knocked my immune system out. I gave up my mural and faux finish business because I couldn't physically handle it. I also had experienced some spiritual struggles from hurts within the church. I was wounded and couldn't move. So, I have sat, at times laid, at the feet of Jesus. That's how I started writing. Somedays He has so much to say to me through His Word and prayer time that I can hardly contain it. Slowly, I have regained my strength both physically and spiritually. I know beyond a shadow of a doubt that Jesus has been at this pitstop and has renewed me. I am so dependent upon Him.

What about you? Are you needing a get-away with Jesus? Friend, He is able and ready for you to stop and come to Him for all you need. Don't wait until you are forced to the sidelines like I was. Take time for renewal. Wait until He tells you to go back out there. You won't do any good for yourself or for others if you are battle weary.

Psalm 147:3-5 (NIV) He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds. He determines the number of the stars and calls them each by name. Great is our Lord and mighty in power; his understanding has no limit.

It's an amazing race we're on while we live in these limited earthly bodies of ours. Time out with our Renewer Jesus is essential to living a joy-filled, productive and God-glorifying life. Take a break at God's pitstop. Lay down at the feet of Jesus and allow Him to restore you.