From today’s reading...
and they had the apostles called in, gave orders for them to be flogged, warned them not to speak in the name of Jesus and released them.” Acts 5:40
Imagine something great happening in your life, i.e., you just got married or had a baby or graduated college or got your dream job, and you got arrested and beaten for being happy and sharing the good news.
You’d probably shut your trap, hang your head down low, and never mention it again.
Heck, many of you tucked tail, ran home, and spied on your neighbors three years ago because a 79-year-old government parasite with a Napoleon complex and a history of being wrong and lying about being wrong said “boo.”
(Now I know why Jesus didn’t come to Austin or L.A. or Portland or NYC to start His ministry, but I digress.)
You need to embrace the conflict and the attacks.
Your enemy will only fight when he feels threatened and vulnerable.
Marcus Aurelius, the Roman emperor from 121 to 180 AD, wrote about this in his Meditations, “The impediment to action advances action. What stands in the way becomes the way.”
Stop seeking comfort.
Seek obstacles and challenges that can make you stronger, which will help you attract and guide those weaker than you, which is the only way to...
Stay the course.
Keep the faith.
Endure.
Market like you mean it. Now go sell something.