Today I’m pleased to host a guest blog by Kathy Howard. I’ve known her for several years and count her as a special friend. Her latest Bible study is Deep Rooted: Growing Through the Book of Acts. Enjoy this excerpt, and continue reading to learn more about Kathy and this Bible study.

Deep Rooted: Growing Through the Book of Acts

by Kathy Howard

Then Paul answered, “What are you doing, weeping and breaking my heart? For I am ready not only to be imprisoned but even to die in Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus.” (Acts 21:13)

My husband and I love to hike. More often than not, when deciding where to hike, we choose the longer and more difficult trails. Not because we enjoy suffering, but because those trails usually provide greater benefits. The hard trails reward hikers with gorgeous waterfalls and breathtaking views. They weave through silent, ancient forests and past abundant flora and fauna. Yes, when you’re hiking, the best trails are often the hardest.

The same is true in our walk with God. His best path for us is often difficult. The apostle Paul not only knew that truth, he fully embraced God’s will for him no matter where His path might lead. Throughout the return leg of his third missionary journey, the Holy Spirit had been leading Paul to Jerusalem. The Spirit had even revealed that trouble waited for him there (Acts 19:21; Acts 20:22). God’s will for Paul included suffering.

Obey God even when it means suffering

We first read this incredible truth during the account of Paul’s conversion on the road to Damascus. When Jesus sent Ananias the Damascus believer to visit Saul, Jesus told him, “Go, for he is a chosen instrument of mine to carry my name before the Gentiles and kings and the children of Israel. For I will show him how much he must suffer for the sake of my name” (Acts 9:15-16).

Sometimes God delivered Paul from persecution – like the time Paul escaped Damascus over the wall in a basket (Acts 9:23-25). Sometimes God delivered Paul in the midst of persecution – like sending an earthquake in Philippi to open the prison stocks (Acts 16:25-26). But here, God specifically directed Paul to go to Jerusalem where suffering waited. And Paul obeyed, knowing what lay ahead.

The human bent wants to avoid suffering

Yet, as sure as Paul was of God’s will for him, many of his fellow believers and friends urged him not to go to Jerusalem (Acts 21:12). When the Spirit showed them Paul would suffer, they reacted with a desire to keep him safe. They understandably, but wrongly jumped to the conclusion that he should run from this particular trial.

Paul stood at a crossroads. Would he turn away from suffering or would he follow Jesus no matter what lay ahead? God had constrained Paul to go to Jerusalem (Acts 20:22). To turn away would be disobedience. (Acts 21:13)

Suffering serves a purpose

God does not always lead us into suffering, but sometimes He does. Sometimes, God works in and through our trials to carry out His purposes. Sometimes He uses fiery trials to refine our faith (1 Peter 1:6-7) or deepen our relationship with Jesus (Philippians 3:10) or to proclaim Christ’s salvation to the lost (Acts 16:30-32).

Paul’s path through Jerusalem ultimately led to imprisonment in Rome. Several years later, during that imprisonment, Paul wrote these words to the believers in Philippi:

“I eagerly expect and hope that I will in no way be ashamed, but will have sufficient courage so that now as always Christ will be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death. For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain” (Philippians 1:20-21).

This post is adapted from “Deep Rooted: Growing through the Book of Acts.” Available now on Amazon.