When God, who had set me apart before I was born and called
me through his grace, was pleased to reveal his Son to me, so that I might
proclaim him among the Gentiles, I did not confer with any human being, nor did
I go up to Jerusalem to those who were already apostles before me, but I went
away at once into Arabia, and afterwards I returned to Damascus.
Galatians 1:15-17
Paul writes to the Galatians that after he had his dramatic
conversion to faith in Christ on the road to Damascus (Acts 9), he “went away
at once” to Arabia. Acts records some events before his departure. Caught up in
fervor for a sweeping, newly discovered truth, he provoked such opposition in
the Damascus synagogues that the Christians there had to help him escape.
During a brief stay in Jerusalem, where he again made “bold” proclamation, the
Greeks plotted murder, and the Christians “sent Paul off.” Paul doesn’t say how
long he was away, but he came back to engage in perhaps the most fruitful
ministry in history.
“Going away,” even, maybe especially, when we are most convinced of the rightness and
righteousness of our intentions can give us a chance to gain perspective and
let God show us what we should do and how.
“Away” can mean a moment of prayer in the midst of other people to center our
hearts. It may mean leaving others for a longer period of thought and prayer. “Away time” with an attentive heart gives God the
opportunity to awaken love in our hearts for those with whom we hope to share
what is important to us – and humility in how we do so.
If the great Paul “went away,” I know it’s important for me.
God’s peace,
Katie
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