There was once a man totally committed to his work. He lived, ate, breathed and preached his passion...literally. He was a preacher. But not everybody was as excited about his message as he was. In fact, when you're in the business of trying to communicate truth to people sometimes dissenters emerge with hostility. Some even desire to silence you. In this case, this man's enemies were serious about rejecting his message.
I'm talking about the Apostle Paul. The story is found in the book of Acts, Chapter 14. Paul’s dissenters became so enraged with him that they stoned him, dragged him out of the city and thinking him dead, abandoned him in a remote location (vs. 19). What happens next defies logic, not to mention medical explanation. Records indicate that "after the disciples gathered around him, he rose up and went in the city" (vs 20). The next day Paul went back to work as usual.
Now, I have to admit I've read this story countless times but never really noticed the fine print.
- · Paul was stoned. Yeah, I knew that...
- · He was left for dead. Yeah, I knew that...
- · The disciples gathered around him. Yeah, I knew that...
- · He arose, went into the city and the next day departed to another city. Can't say that I caught that part!
But it begs a few questions. What were the extent of Paul’s injuries? We can deduce that they were severe enough that his assailants thought they had killed him. What did the disciples do when they gathered around Paul? I don’t know but soon thereafter he got up and returned to the city where he was just stoned. Whether the disciples nursed his wound, prayed for his restoration or Paul just flat out had an iron will is not revealed. But what is known is that a man left for dead is on his feet and moving on with life in a matter of hours and the next day he’s back on the road again doing his work. This seems a little bit miraculous don’t you think?
Now, you might be wondering what in the world this story has to do with success, money, prosperity and wealth? I say it has everything to do with it and that we’d do well to understand the story’s main points which are as follows:
- · Sometimes you’re not that well received
- · Sometimes your rejecters don’t mind attacking you and leaving you for dead
- · There’s power and refreshing in gathering around like-minded people
- · When you’re focused on your purpose nothing will keep you down
- · Finally, …don’t just lay there focused on what hurts, get up and get back to work!
It seems to me that the man or woman who follows these principles in life cannot do anything but succeed!
Until we talk again…prosper and be in good health even as your soul prospers!
By Dr. Russell Thomas, PhD
