I sit with my Bible
     and study from Acts.
To prepare a sermon
     that’s more than just facts.
To look at the stories
     for what they convey.
And share how God wants us
     to live and obey.
The Christians would gather
     and often would pray.
They waited together
     for what God would say.

The series continues,
     I reach chapter thirteen.
Worship and fasting
     are part of this scene.
During their worship
     the Spirit speaks out.
And tells of some work
     that they must be about.
“Set apart for me
     Barnabas and Saul.”
“And send them away
     to a place of my call.”

As they did travel
     the path that God led.
They told of God’s Word
     in all that they said.
One of the people 
     did not like what they heard.
And tried to convince others
     Paul’s message was absurd.
As Paul looked at this man
     and saw in his mind.
God spoke His judgment,
     this man would be blind.

As Paul traveled onward,
     God helped him to speak.
And told Israel’s history
     to those who would seek.
Of how God had saved,
     and given a land.
To a people who followed
     and obeyed His command.
The people were promised
     a king who would come.
Who would fulfill God’s Word;
     all of it, not just some. 

The one that God sent,
     they did not receive.
They crucified Him
     for they would not believe.
God did not abandon
     this One to the grave.
But raised Him to life,
     from death He would save.
The crowd sought to hear more
     of the One brought to life.
But this stirred up others
     who set out to cause strife.

The message rejected
     by those it was for.
Set Paul free to tell it
     on every shore.
Those who received it
     were filled with much joy.
It did not matter
     if girl or if boy.
The Word of God spread
     as people did hear.
And that is our task,
     as we’re sent far and near.
©

I was spending time with God going through Act 13 for a sermon I will preach in the series I am doing through the book of Acts. As I did so, God put this poem in my mind about the sending of Saul (Paul) and Barnabas. It is also about the sending that God wants us to be a part of as we take His message everywhere we go. I pray that you see yourself as one who is sent by God to carry His message.

In prayer,
Tom