September 30–Athens

Good Monday to you. I was able to get to my house last night after being away for so long. In my soft bed, I thought about Paul, the consummate traveler. How often did he have a good bed? The Apostle traveled about 10,000 miles altogether. No one really knows if that was only on foot or if he rode animals some of the way. Nonetheless, he was quite a traveler! 

When I was in Athens, I just kept thinking of the first time Paul got there. I was on a bus with a group. He was alone. For me, there was the mighty Parthenon on the hill, lit for everyone to see. For Paul, there was the Parthenon (completed 300 years before), with the statues of Athena, on the Acropolis. For me, the streets were crowded and noisy. For Paul, the streets were crowded and noisy—and he had no bus or lunch reservations. So how did he do it? How did he break into that highly successful, metropolitan city and make a difference? Today, Athens (with the rest of Greece) reports as 90-95% Christian (Greek Orthodox). But no one there nor here would argue it began with Paul. Before they were Christians, they were pagans worshipping numerous images of gods. 

“So Paul, standing before the council, addressed them as follows: “Men of Athens, I notice that you are very religious in every way...He is the God who made the world and everything in it. Since he is Lord of heaven and earth, he doesn’t live in man-made temples...For in him we live and move and exist. As some of your own poets have said, ‘We are his offspring.’ And since this is true, we shouldn’t think of God as an idol designed by craftsmen from gold or silver or stone.”

‭‭Acts of the Apostles‬ ‭17:22, 24, 28-29‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Paul was out and about the people everyday. He would go to the temple to reason with the Jews; he would stand on the street and talk to anyone who would slow down: he accepted any debate challenge or speaking invitation. He was tireless and passionate. 

When I stood on Mars Hill and looked over the city, the very rock where Paul said “Men of Athens”, I had just walked down a bit from the giant temple of Athena. So, here was Paul, literally in the shadow of the Parthenon on Acropolis, teaching about the one true God. Wow. 

What one man, fully dedicated, can do! God used Paul to change entire cities, nations. For me, standing there, was both humbling and inspiring at the same time. 

I looked at all the people at the Acropolis and noticed maybe half or more had simple come to take pictures, using the ancient ruins as a backdrop. Even more so on the rock with me because they could see an amazing view from there. It that rock...that’s where history changed for this city. 

Lord Jesus, thank you for your Word and especially the account of the early church. Help us to comprehend that everything we do, we do in you—we live, move and exist for only you. Teach us to love you more fully and to surrender our lives to you wholly for we see in Paul what can happen when we become passionate about telling others about you and how wonderful you are. We ask you to surround friends and family of those who are close to Heaven, to seeing you. Let those who are facing death feel your sweet touch and know how very near you are. And let the rest of us know in our hearts that to be absent from the body is to be present with you. We want to praise and magnify you today. Help your name to be ever on our lips. Amen and amen. 

Love you dear one,

Pam