August 12, 2021 - Acts 18:1-11
Facing adversity alone is draining and can lead to defeat. Recognizing that we have allies and support enables us to charge full steam ahead! Without them we may falter and be less effective. A team around us who supports and encourages give us courage to charge ahead and face adversity!
Paul would have agreed with the premise that each situation is better with a team supporting you. As noted, each city Paul entered, he immediately would go to the synagogue and begin to proclaim the gospel message and then face the questions that would naturally develop from his approach. In Athens, and now Corinth he seems to have modified his approach a little by the scriptures stating that he spoke openly in the synagogue and marketplace. Also, he is by himself and awaiting Silas and Timothy.
While awaiting his team coming from a different location, and he meets and stays with Aquila and Priscilla, a husband and wife who had fled the persecution in Rome. The appearance is that Paul had assumed a lower profile during this time and perhaps he came to Corinth feeling defeated after his encounter in Athens and the Areopagus. It is not until Silas and Timothy arrives that Paul begins in earnest to present Jesus as the Christ (v.5).
An important note to consider is the fact that the Lord spoke directly to Paul during this time and encouraged him to continue in the ministry there at Corinth. These words of encouragement along with his team rejoining him at Corinth enables him to enjoy probably the longest ministry stay of his career.
Encouragement and discouragement are a part of ministry life regardless of who we are or how long we are in ministry. There are times where the distractions of physical labor or some diversion can be the potion needed to reinvigorate the work of ministry. If you are blessed with a group of likeminded people who can encourage and assist you, praise God for them. If you are waiting for that team, keep working as you continue to ask the Lord for those supporters to come. Additionally, make yourself available to be an encouragement and support in someone’s life today!