Imagine moving to a new place where you knew nobody. How long would it take to find community? Young friends who grew up in our church have graduated from college and moved into big cities. I pray for them because I love these young adults. I want them to find Christian friends. How long does it take?
When Paul arrived in Corinth, he knew no one. But then he met Priscilla and Aquila. Paul stayed there for a year and a half. He left brothers and sisters there when he sailed to Syria. Which brothers and sisters? Is Luke referring to Priscilla and Aquila? No. They went with Paul to Ephesus. But the work of the Spirit through the proclamation of the gospel resulted in a community that became a family. On my first day as a teenaged pastor, my congregants called me, “Brother Duane.” They gave me the benefit of the doubt as they welcomed me into their homes.
How do we know when it is time to go? My mentor in seminary, Virtus Gideon told me and my classmates: “Be sure that the same God who called you to your church is calling you away, or don’t leave.” When Paul arrived in Ephesus he reasoned in the synagogues. They wanted more time with him. He said, “I will come back if it is God’s will.” James reminds us this is a better approach to determining our travel itinerary. Instead of saying, “Tomorrow, I will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money,” we ought to say, “If the Lord wills, we will live and do this or that.” Without God, we can’t even be sure we will live.
Are you where God wants you to be? “Dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture” (Psalm 37:3). Is God calling you to go? Then go. Wherever he takes you, find the people of God. Find the ones that seek to know and do the will of God. They are there. When you find them, knit your soul to them. Then when you leave, you will not just leave friends. You will leave brothers and sisters. This is God’s will for you: to find a family in Christ. I’m so glad I’m a part of the family of God. You, too?
