Scripture: Acts 17:14
The brothers and sisters sent Paul away to the seacoast at once, but Silas and Timothy remained at Beroea.
Thought for the Day: Beroea, now Veroia, is about an hour west of Thessaloniki, if you drive along the coast, but more like 1 hour and 20 minutes if you take the northern route. Today, Veroia (Beroea) is known as Little Jerusalem as it has nearly 50 Byzantine and Post-Byzantine chapels and churches and cathedrals. Paul is on his way to Athens (I won’t be going there for another 5 days), but it’s interesting that Silas and Timothy stay behind. It’s uncertain exactly how long they stayed, but eventually they will catch up with Paul in Corinth (where I will be in a couple of days). This is only a Bruce guess, but I find that Paul had a pretty good feel in regard to the communities he started or visited. He knew what was needed, and how some continued direction from his core team could have a dramatic impact. Churches, as you can guess, are unique living and breathing bodies. You cannot take a success in one setting and impose it upon another. It is a different context, different people, different histories and different gifts. I think Paul saw the unique characteristic of Beroea, and he felt that Silas and Timothy could strengthen the community while he continued on his journey. Some folks are not very good at letting go even when God is calling them somewhere else. Too often we cling without recognizing how there are some good and gifted people who are well prepared to take it to the next level…assuming we can walk away. I’m headed to Beroea in day or so, but first Philippi and Neapolis.
Prayer: For all those who have the amazing capacity to hear your invitation, O Lord, and let go. For them, and for you, Lord, I give thanks. Amen.
