EVERY DISAPPOINTMENT IS A BLESSING: The Holy
Spirit appointed Paul and Barnabas for a mission: “Set apart for
me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them” (Acts 13:2). This mission was not clear to them at the beginning. Being
Jews, they operated initially with the Jewish mentality: The message of
salvation was meant for the Jews only. This was why they preached ab initio only in the synagogues, with
focus on the Jews. It was the great opposition from the Jews that opened their
minds to listen more attentively to the Spirit. They then understood that their
mission was mainly for the conversion of the Gentiles. The oppositions and
difficulties they encountered among the Jews were blessings in disguise, both
for them and the Gentiles. When they turned their attention to the Gentiles,
they started experiencing greater results and more self-fulfilment in their
mission. Many times in our lives, we are bound to face oppositions, failures
and disappointments. These occasions should not call for throwing in the towels;
rather they should be occasions of exhibiting our doggedness in God’s mission.
These are occasions when God reveals to us better ways of achieving our
purpose. When persecutions and difficulties set in, they come torrentially in droves.
Even women, who are naturally sympathetic, were so stirred up that they became
antagonistic towards Paul and Barnabas. The good news was that it was through
all these abnormalities that the duo came to grips with their actual mission
from God – the evangelisation of the Gentiles. For our peace of mind, Jesus
exhorts us, “In the world you have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome
the world” (John 16:33).
PRAYER:
Lord Jesus,
you encountered a lot of opposition during your ministry but remained
undaunted. May we too share in the grace of conquering the world. Amen.
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