The difference…

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There’s a difference between getting lost on an afternoon hike in the mountains and being rescued after days of hunger and cold, and successfully climbing Everest.

There’s a difference between surviving being broadsided at an intersection on the way to the Gym, and being t-boned during the “big one” in the Daytona 500.

There’s a difference between surviving a beating by a mugger, and being knocked out in a UFC match.

To be fair there’s NOT a lot of difference in the the actual events.  Hunger and cold are painful, car accidents are frightening and dangerous, and being punched hurts!  The difference is purpose.  The difference is mission.  The difference is that bad things that “just happen to us” add to our fears and weaknesses,. while bad things that happen on the way to a goal…on the way to a summit…on the way to a championship,  just add to our story when we win.

That’s what I love so much about the story of Paul the Apostle found in Acts Chapter 27-28 that Steve Warrington shared on Sunday.   The Bible NEVER promises that obeying God will be easy or trouble free.  It does promise, though; that for followers of Jesus those troubles and difficulties would not be WASTED…that they would instead just add to our Story and God’s Glory!  Just a few short years before Paul began his epic sea voyage to Rome, Paul sent these words to the Christians living there in a letter:

“28 And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them”.- Paul (Romans 8:28)

Paul’s life…his journeys…his story… and the fact we still recount it today, proves those words to be true!

There is a difference between living an adventure and surviving a disaster.  Being an obedient follower of Jesus Christ is where that adventure begins.

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