Yesterday, while she was perusing Facebook, my wife Linda spotted this picture and remarked how beautiful it was. I looked at it and agreed, saying;”Now that is one beautiful bird”. Later, I looked at the Facebook page and noticed that the comments about it varied a lot. Some people stated that they thought the bird was very beautiful and others labeled it as a fake or even an abomination.
To my surprise, I kept thinking about this bird throughout the day. Finally, I said to myself: It is what it is and that’s that. Should the bird be a creation in the mind of man, that changes nothing- it is still beautiful; if it is the handiwork of God- it is still beautiful, but it also proclaims how wonderful God’s creations can be.
It should come as no surprise to those who know me that I prefer the second option. At the same time, I thought, sometimes people are so prone to criticize, that even those things that God Might Have Created are suspect. Unfortunately, they put themselves in a position of placing the wisdom and reason of human beings against the stated will of God. With that in mind, I remembered Acts 21 and a prophecy of one called Agabus…
Acts 21 ( World English Bible )
1 When it happened that we had parted from them and had set sail, we came with a straight course to Cos, and the next day to Rhodes, and from there to Patara.
2 Having found a ship crossing over to Phoenicia, we went aboard, and set sail.
3 When we had come in sight of Cyprus, leaving it on the left hand, we sailed to Syria, and landed at Tyre, for there the ship was to unload her cargo.
4 Having found disciples, we stayed there seven days. These said to Paul through the Spirit, that he should not go up to Jerusalem.
5 When it happened that we had accomplished the days, we departed and went on our journey. They all, with wives and children, brought us on our way until we were out of the city. Kneeling down on the beach, we prayed.
6 After saying goodbye to each other, we went on board the ship, and they returned home again.
7 When we had finished the voyage from Tyre, we arrived at Ptolemais. We greeted the brothers, and stayed with them one day.
8 On the next day, we, who were Paul’s companions, departed, and came to Caesarea. We entered into the house of Philip the evangelist, who was one of the seven, and stayed with him.
9 Now this man had four virgin daughters who prophesied.
10 As we stayed there some days, a certain prophet named Agabus came down from Judea.
11 Coming to us, and taking Paul’s belt, he bound his own feet and hands, and said, “Thus says the Holy Spirit: ‘So will the Jews at Jerusalem bind the man who owns this belt, and will deliver him into the hands of the Gentiles.’”
12 When we heard these things, both we and they of that place begged him not to go up to Jerusalem.
13 Then Paul answered, “What are you doing, weeping and breaking my heart? For I am ready not only to be bound, but also to die at Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus.”
14 When he would not be persuaded, we ceased, saying, “The Lord’s will be done.”
If something has the possibility of being “from God” do we immediately assume that is phony or are we spiritually enough minded to diligently search out the possibility of it being from the Almighty. More than this, are we willing to accept God’s will for our life and joyfully seek HIS desires for us? Good question. Now, reread Acts 21 (and especially verses 13f.) and ask yourself: what would you do if the Bible plainly told you to do something you did not want to do?
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