Acts 21

“Then Paul answered, ‘What do you mean by weeping and breaking my heart?  For I am ready not only to be bound, but also to die at Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus.’  So when he would not be persuaded, we ceased, saying, ‘The will of the Lord be done.’” Acts 21:13-14 (NKJV)

Soon after I decided to follow Jesus, I began attending a Bible study.  One evening the study leader asked if anyone knew any “Jesus songs.”  I owned a guitar, so I started writing songs...something I never knew I could do.  A year later, I was offered a chance to record my songs as a professional musician.  Following that opportunity meant I had to leave college…and the full-ride track scholarship that came with it.

I remember sitting in my car, listening to a cassette tape of John MacArthur preaching, “The Crisis of Decision.”  I had been seeking the Lord for months, and I was confident he was leading me into the “Christian” music business.  I turned left and drove to Memphis, leaving college.  And the rest, as they say, is history.

I wish I could say that all my friends and family supported my step of faith.  They didn’t.  It’s not that they didn’t love the Lord.  It’s just difficult sometimes watching others make faith-based decisions that the Lord hasn’t led them to.  The Lord was asking me to step out in a way that nobody I knew had ever followed Him, so they doubted that I was actually listening to the Lord.

The Bible says there is wisdom in good counsel.  (Proverbs 13:10) It is good to be accountable and downright necessary!  Still, there are times when people’s concern for your well-being may be evidence of their misunderstanding of “calling.”

That was the case for Paul in today’s passage.  The Spirit of God was testifying to the believers about Paul’s suffering, so they were concerned about his well-being.  But they were unaware of the ministry opportunities that would follow Paul’s bondage.

We may not know what the future holds, but we know Who holds the future.  Paul didn’t know what the outcome of his trip to Jerusalem would be.  But he had enough faith to know the Lord was sending him, and he had the obedience to go.

Is the Lord leading you in an unpopular direction?  Seek Him earnestly and listen to His voice.  If indeed He is leading you, then set your heart to follow Him.  No matter what you go through, He will bring you through it.

As was the case with Paul, we should follow the Lord in such a way that it would be utter foolishness were there no resurrection from the dead.