UPROAR: Goodbook 09-20-13

Goodbook messages arrive every Tuesday and Friday with a Scripture reading and ideas for how to apply the reading in our lives. We are reading through the book of Acts. For additional Scripture reading, you can follow the Advanced Track.

Reading: Acts 19:27-30

27 There is danger not only that our trade will lose its good name, but also that the temple of the great goddess Artemis will be discredited; and the goddess herself, who is worshiped throughout the province of Asia and the world, will be robbed of her divine majesty."  28 When they heard this, they were furious and began shouting: "Great is Artemis of the Ephesians!"  29 Soon the whole city was in an uproar. The people seized Gaius and Aristarchus, Paul's traveling companions from Macedonia, and all of them rushed together into the theater.  30 Paul wanted to appear before the crowd, but the disciples would not let him.  31 Even some of the officials of the province, friends of Paul, sent him a message begging him not to venture into the theater.

Application:

My wife and I recently went through a parenting study together.  One of the recommendations for parents is to pick your battles.  Every battle is not worth fighting.  We can make mountains out of mole hills.  We can engage in unnecessary conflict.

The apostle Paul was a man of great courage.  He did not shrink back from any challenge.  But not every battle was worth fighting.  There was a great uproar in the city of Ephesus.  In the last Goodbook message we talked about what was happening.  Paul was preaching about the God who made everything and was not made by human hands.  Many people believed and so this threatened the business of selling shrines for the worship of Artemis.

The whole city was in an uproar.  It was highly emotional and highly volatile.  While Paul would have jumped right into the mix for Jesus, this was not a battle worth fighting.  There was little Paul could have done in this mass pandemonium.  The people were not open to listening.  Paul would have likely been attacked or killed.  The disciples and the friends of Paul encouraged him not to appear before the crowd.  This was not a battle worth fighting.

Have you ever jumped into a battle that was not yours to fight?  Maybe it did not involve you.  Maybe it was none of your business.  Or have you engage in a battle or a fight that was really not worth fighting?  Maybe it was over something silly.  Maybe it was not the most helpful way to approach the situation.  I know I have fought battles that were not worth fighting.  Still do.

1)      Are you engaged in a battle that is not worth fighting?  Maybe you need to stand down, step back, take a breath, pray, think through the situation, be patient, listen to the helpful advice of others, show restraint.

2)      Maybe you can be a good friend to someone and counsel them to be careful and cautious about the battles they fight.  You just might save them from unnecessary pain or hurt.

Share your comments and application ideas…