08
Aug '24
August 8, 2024
08
Aug '24
One of the worst trips we ever took was driving down to Florida in an old Ford station wagon (a faux woody) with our two young children. In the middle of the night, just outside of Valdosta, Georgia we blew a head gasket. We slept in the car until a service station opened then spent the whole day in their waiting room as they made repairs. The story gets worse as we finally took off only to have it blow again at the next town. We rented a car and still had to drive 12 more hours to Florida in the dark. Worst. Road. Trip. Ever.
That was our worst road trip but it doesn’t compare to the nearly 10,000 miles road trip of St. Paul’s life: … three times I was shipwrecked, I spent a night and a day in the open sea, I have been constantly on the move. I have been in danger from rivers, in danger from bandits, in danger from my fellow Jews, in danger from Gentiles; in danger in the city, in danger in the country, in danger at sea; and in danger from false believers. I have labored and toiled and have often gone without sleep; I have known hunger and thirst and have often gone without food; I have been cold and naked. (2 Corinthians 11:25-27)
I’m sure we’ve all had our share of trouble on the road. But while we cannot help but to emphasize the worst elements, Paul brushes them aside. For the Lord had told him: “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.(2 Corinthians 12:9-10)
Pastor Andy