In Acts 22:30 it is not hard to imagine what Paul was feeling. You see for all his Christian life he had dreamed of the opportunity to share the truth concerning Jesus to his fellow countrymen. If you will, this was Paul’s dream season. Seventeen years earlier we are told that while Paul was in the Temple praying he was told by Jesus to leave the city because they would not listen to what he said about Him. Paul argued with the Lord, (have you ever done that?) “Man Jesus you just don’t get it do you I’m the man you need I’m perfect for the job!” “No, I’m sending you to an entirely different people and place, Jesus said.” Paul never lost his desire to share the truth concerning Jesus to the Jews and here it was finally 17 long years later, “his ship has come in!”
Pastors are not immune to failure either considering this letter that appeared in “Christianity Today”. “Every program I’ve started has failed. Our “Evangelism Explosion” didn’t explode: it gave an embarrassed “pop” and rolled over and died. I attended a “Church Growth Seminar”, and while I was gone, six families left the church. I tried “Dial-a-Prayer” and I got the wrong number. I have been told that failure could be the back door to success, but the door seems to be locked and I can’t find a key. Any suggestions?”
Have you ever been angry with God for missing many great opportunities, blamed everyone eventually even yourself for the sinking ship and never realized that the sinking of “MY ship” was exactly what was supposed to happen! You see God knows what is best for us so much better than we do. I have often made the mistake of judging God’s overall plan for my life by the portion of it that happened today. Hey, brothers and sisters God has all eternity in which to fulfill His plans for our lives. So lets stop thinking in terms of today’s sinking ship and start thinking in terms of our future port where we all know is where we are going to spend eternity!