Quickly, the gospel begins to spread, and the Holy Spirit directs Peter, Phillip and Paul to do God’s work; to take the steps necessary for growth. While I have read these chapters numerous times, something new catches my attention.
Clearly God often sets difficult tasks before us. Phillip is told to go out in the middle of nowhere on a wilderness road, and then to approach a stranger in a chariot (Acts 8: 26-40). Paul is placed in a weakened condition in the care of Ananias – a person he sought to persecute (Acts 9: 1-19). Peter is given a vision urging him to spend time with a stranger named Cornelius (Acts 10: 1-48), and in a later chapter must follow an angel out of harms way (Acts 12: 1-11). Yes, these chapters witness to the “degree of difficulty” true discipleship requires.
This time through Acts, I am struck by something else, however. Not only were Paul and Peter and Phillip asked to perform difficult tasks, not only were they to “pick up their cross and follow Jesus” (Mark 8:34). These Apostles were forced into nothing short of a transformation! Phillip the student and watcher becomes an evangelist. Paul, the virulent enemy of Christians, becomes an Apostle of Christ. Peter, the good and faithful, kosher Jew, eats and spends time with Gentiles. In many ways we watch these characters in Acts called away from a particular comfortable past, and called toward another, previously offensive way of life! That which Paul and Peter held odious, that which they despised, that which they did not understand, God calls them to embrace, love and value.
Later in his letter to the Romans, Paul puts it this way: “Do not be conformed but be transformed” (Romans 12:2). The Christian life is more than following and loving Jesus. The Christian life is more than being called to difficult tasks. Following Christ calls for nothing less than transformation; of our will, our desires, our tastes, our past and our future. Just like the characters of Acts, if we wish to be part of what God is doing in the world; the building of God’s kingdom, we better be prepared for change!
Loving God, help us to hear your call. Like the earliest disciples, may we be aware of the movement of your Spirit, and willing to allow your transformation in our lives. In Jesus name, AMEN.
