[Paul continues to describe his conversion.] “And one Ananias, a devout man according to the law, well spoken of by all the Jews who lived there, 13 came to me, and standing by me said to me, ‘Brother Saul, receive your sight.’ And at that very hour I received my sight and saw him. 14 And he said, ‘The God of our fathers appointed you to know his will, to see the Righteous One and to hear a voice from his mouth; 15 for you will be a witness for him to everyone of what you have seen and heard. 16 And now why do you wait? Rise and be baptized and wash away your sins, calling on his name.’
17 “When I had returned to Jerusalem and was praying in the temple, I fell into a trance 18 and saw him saying to me, ‘Make haste and get out of Jerusalem quickly, because they will not accept your testimony about me.’ 19 And I said, ‘Lord, they themselves know that in one synagogue after another I imprisoned and beat those who believed in you. 20 And when the blood of Stephen your witness was being shed, I myself was standing by and approving and watching over the garments of those who killed him.’ 21 And he said to me, ‘Go, for I will send you far away to the Gentiles.’”
22 Up to this word they listened to him. Then they raised their voices and said, “Away with such a fellow from the earth! For he should not be allowed to live.” 23 And as they were shouting and throwing off their cloaks and flinging dust into the air, 24 the tribune ordered him to be brought into the barracks, saying that he should be examined by flogging, to find out why they were shouting against him like this. 25 But when they had stretched him out for the whips, Paul said to the centurion who was standing by, “Is it lawful for you to flog a man who is a Roman citizen and uncondemned?” 26 When the centurion heard this, he went to the tribune and said to him, “What are you about to do? For this man is a Roman citizen.” 27 So the tribune came and said to him, “Tell me, are you a Roman citizen?” And he said, “Yes.” 28 The tribune answered, “I bought this citizenship for a large sum.” Paul said, “But I am a citizen by birth.” 29 So those who were about to examine him withdrew from him immediately, and the tribune also was afraid, for he realized that Paul was a Roman citizen and that he had bound him.
Cana Lily | Arbor Gate Nursery, Tomball, Texas | May 2024Diane and I have traveled on mission trips to Africa 6 times. It is a daunting trip – 26 hours of flights and layovers. We believe we have made our last trip there.
Don’t get me wrong, our experiences there have been remarkable. From amazing wildlife we’ve seen on our two short safaris, to the roads which are sometimes smooth and straight, and other times only passable in a 4WD vehicle, to the people we have taught and learned from: these have all been incredible adventures.
Our hope is to help provide funds for a fence around the Mwanza Lutheran Secondary School. Their campus is not secure or safe, and many parents fear to send their children there because of that. But we have decided that six trips is enough – at least at this time.
I believe Africa qualifies as far away, in like manner to Jesus’ words to Paul, “Go, for I will send you far away to the Gentiles.” Even though arduous, our travels are no where nearly as challenging and difficult as those which Paul experienced.
The idea that all Christians are sent may be challenging. Sent is the word behind the word apostle. An apostle is a sent-one. Jesus said to his disciples upon confronting them in the Upper Room, “As the Father has sent me, I am sending you.” He tells them just before his ascension into heaven, “You will be my witnesses … to the ends of the earth. And Paul reports that Jesus said he was to be sent far away to the Gentiles. But are we also sent? In that same way? Far away?
Many years ago a pastor shared with me what I used as the title for this post: The world begins at the end of your skin. In other words, you don’t have to go far to engage in God’s mission. It might be across town. Or even another state. But mission trips can also take us to downtown Houston. Your neighbor may be in a place that allows you to bring the love of Christ and the news of his reign and rule to her. Your husband may need the assurance of Christ’s forgiveness.
We are all sent to do whatever we are able to do to share God’s love and seek his reign and rule. And that journey into the world starts at the end of your skin.
David Bahn - Reflections 
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