Please read Numbers 8-9 and Acts 28 if you're interested in reading the Bible through in a year. Tomorrow's readings will be Numbers 10-11, Psalm 27, and Mark 1
The brothers and sisters there had heard that we were coming and they traveled as far as the Forum of Appius and the Three Taverns to meet us. At the sight of these people Paul thanked God and was encouraged. -Acts 28:15 (NIV)
With news yesterday that gas prices may reach $5 a gallon before summer, it's not the best time to be thinking about vacations. But we haven't been on vacation since I was diagnosed with cancer in May 2010 so we're overdue.
My wife Ivana and I have different approaches to vacationing. I prefer to return to places that I've already visited. I like the familiarity and the security that comes from knowing where things are located. I like to do things a second time that I enjoyed the first time. Ivana, on the other hand, is much more adventurous. She likes to go to new places. She likes to try new things.
One of the things that has really helped me to feel more at home in strange places may actually surprise you. But whenever we travel to a place that I've never been before, I always look for the official symbol of The United Methodist Church: the cross and flame. Whenever I see this symbol of our denomination, I'm encouraged. We always go to church whenever we're traveling and even in strange places, The United Methodist Church has always felt like home.
In today's assigned scripture readings, Paul is on his way to Rome. He's been imprisoned for his expression of the Christian faith and is seeking a hearing before Caesar. No doubt his journey has been rough. It has been long. And he has had to leave his comfort zone of familiar places and faces. But Paul is greeted by a group of believers in this strange place and he is thankful and encouraged.
You are never alone. When the journey is rough, when the journey is long, and when you find yourself in new or strange or difficult circumstances, you're likely to find a cloud of witnesses there to meet you, people who will encourage you and for whom you'll be thankful. And you can be sure that God is there with you as well.
Today, may God grant you the grace to find encouragement in other believers on your journey. May you be a source of encouragement to someone else. And may all be thankful.
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