Top o’ the mornin’ to ya and welcome to another St. Patty’s Day!! It’s hard to believe
it is that time of year already. You know this holiday offers us lots of
opportunities. We could have an extra large bowl of Lucky Charms and be just
fine since it would be keeping with the spirit of the day. We could wear our
favorite green outfits and pinch all the forgetful folks that are missing the color of
clovers from their attire. We could throw back an adult beverage or two, maybe
take in a local parade, and certainly speak in our stereotypical Irish accents
that no one really cares to hear. We are free to do it all… However, today could also
be more than just an excuse to drink and pinch and speak of mythical
leprechauns. St. Patrick’s Day provides us with yet another reason to celebrate
the power of the Gospel. Check out the short video (2:26) below from our good friend in
family ministry, Dr. Timothy Paul Jones (@timothywashere).
Patrick’s
story serves as an encouragement for us to stay the course. Maybe you have a
child that has thus far been obstinate to the good news of Jesus. Perhaps there
is a dear friend or co-worker that simply won’t hear of the hope found in
Christ. For 16 years, the message of the cross was of no interest to Patrick,
despite the fact that both his father and grandfather were involved in
ministry. Yet as depicted in the video above, the Lord revealed Himself to the
young man through a series of tough circumstances. Patrick was not left alone
during his enslavement, but rather pursued by the Lord. It was precisely
through such events that everything began to change for the patron saint.
Similar
to the story of Joseph, what others meant for bad, God meant for good (Genesis
50:20). While being kidnapped and taken into slavery must have been a scary and
unanticipated chapter in the life of Patrick, it was during this season that
his cold heart was melted and eventually transformed. Unbeknownst to Patrick, this
was also a critical time of gaining experience that would prove invaluable
later on.
After
escaping from his Irish master and returning home, Patrick became a monk. Some
20 years after gaining freedom, God moved his heart to return to Ireland, the
land of his captors. All that Patrick had learned from his time of enslavement was
vital in making an impact as a missionary there as he heralded a message of hope
and healing. That’s the amazing power of the Gospel! It allows us to do things
we would’ve never thought possible. It changes our wants and grows our trust. It
compels us to respond in faith instead of fear. The Gospel reminds the redeemed
soul of how fleeting this life is and how much sweeter the next one will be.
The
real story of St. Patrick is cause for celebration. It prompts a posture of
praise as we consider a God that works through our relationships and trials and
is far greater than all of our circumstances. Patrick’s story helps us remember
that today is more than our silly traditions and being covered in green. It’s about
being found in Him – being covered in His blood. For in Christ there is hope
and joy and peace that transforms the soul and surpasses all understanding… And
that friends, is something truly worth celebrating! May we make much of Him and have a very happy St. Patrick’s Day!!
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| matt@nbchurch.info Twitter: @FattMowler Facebook: TheFattMowler |
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