Enter In

Paul was on the move. He went through Amphipolis and Apollonia before settling down for a spell in Thessalonica. He and Silas had not been out of prison long before this. You would think they would take it easy. Take some time off. Rest and relax. Recuperate.

No sooner than Paul settled in he went into the synagogue of the Jews.

Acts 17:2 (ESV)
2  And Paul went in, as was his custom, and on three Sabbath days he reasoned with them from the Scriptures,

He went in. He deliberately and willfully entered into the Jewish synagogue. He had an agenda. He was a man on a mission and with a message. A message about Jesus whom the Jews hated and rejected. Paul went into a hostile environment to speak a controversial message that he knew would be divisive. The Jews had Paul stoned nearly to death in Acts 14. He knew what to expect.

Still he entered in. He chose to engage the Jews for not just one week but for three consecutive weeks reasoning with them from the scriptures. He discussed, made them think and probably asked tough questions making them consider Jesus as Messiah.

Paul entering in had two consequences. Many turned to Jesus for salvation.Great. Some others got ticked off and created a mob who started a riot. Not so great. Paul knew the risks before he ever set foot in that synagogue. He had seen hostility manifest itself into fury and brutality before. He still chose to enter in.

We have that same choice. Maybe it is a conversation with a loved one, neighbor, co-worker or acquaintance. The conversation is going along and then you feel prompted by the Holy Spirit to speak a word of witness about Jesus. You know to enter into this line of talk could get uncomfortable. What do you choose to do?

You feel prompted to talk to a Muslim about Jesus. You know they will not agree with. you. You know the conversation may even turn into anger. You face the risk of losing a friend or possibly being persecuted in retaliation. What do you choose? Will you enter in?

God stirs your heart in a meaningful worship gathering. You feel called to become a missionary. After weeks of prayerfully seeking where God wants you to go He reveals His will is for you to go to an openly hostile country to Christians. Fearfully you make preparations. People try to talk you out of it because of the dangers. You listen and are nearly persuaded but the call of God persists and triumphs. You finally board a plane and land in a hostile land. You are immediately looked at with suspicion and hatred. You willingly chose to enter in. Eventually you will have to enter into spiritual conversations pointing people to Jesus. This will not bring favor and good will. Still you know you will have to enter in.

True followers of Jesus are often called to enter into uncomfortable situations. What will we choose? What will we do? Run toward the risk or flee to safety? How I pray God gives us the courage to enter in like Paul.