Acts 18:9
One night in a vision the Lord said to Paul, "Do not be afraid. Go on speaking, and do not be silent"
As we come close to the end of the Easter season, we've been following the Acts of the Apostles and how the early church was challenged by both Roman and Jewish authority. Paul, once an enemy of the faith, now was the one of the chief proponents for Christians. Speaking out though caused some grief, stress, even threats. Today's passage from Acts tells that Paul was comforted by the words of Christ in a dream not to be afraid but to continue preaching. This command put Paul to the test as he was challenged by synagogue officials and by Roman authority.
Sometimes it takes great courage to speak the truth in the face of persecution, ridicule or even violence. This happens today, especially for those standing up for their faith. We often read in the news about clergy, religious nuns or missionaries being silenced, kidnapped or killed because of their faith. This doesn't happen to most of us to that extreme, but it can happen at work or at a social gathering. You somehow bring up your faith and you may be quickly dispatched with a glare of contempt or a lashing tongue of someone who despises your tradition. But truth is truth and we should always proclaim the truth with holy boldness and courage. Pray today and ask Jesus for the courage to speak truth and the Holy Spirit to guide you through the minefields of life.
