“I’m continuing my reading in the Book of Acts,” Stan said one morning. “Some things about people never change.”
“What do you mean?” I asked.
“Well, as you know, some of the Jewish leaders just wouldn’t leave Paul alone. They were constantly hounding him. They wanted the Romans to get rid of him.”
Continuing, Stan said, “At one point, some of the Jewish leaders were able to get Paul taken to Caesarea by the Romans to stand trial before a procurator by the name of Felix.”
Stan then said, “The Jews presented their case against Paul. Paul made his case, but Felix did not make a decision. He kept Paul in loose custody.”
“From time to time, Felix would hear Paul talk about faith in Jesus Christ, but at one point Felix told Paul something that people have been saying since then.”
“What?” I asked.
“He told Paul to leave his presence until he found time to hear more from him.”
Shifting the focus a bit, Stan then said, “This is exactly what I told God for way too long. I told Him to go away until I found time for Him. What a fool I was!”
“Thankfully, God didn’t take ‘no’ for an answer. He drew me to Him and told me that I have the same amount of time as everyone else. Twenty-four hours each day. It is up to me how I spend those hours, but it became clear that it is essential for me to utilize the time I have on this side of eternity to continually draw nearer to God.”
“As you have said more than once,” I replied, “as a person chooses to draw near to God, He responds by drawing near that person.”
“Exactly!” Stan exclaimed. “And that is what Felix missed. He told Paul he would summon him to hear more when he found the time. As far as I know, he never found the time. Neither did he find the most important truth that can be found on this side of eternity.”
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And as he (Paul) was discussing righteousness, self-control, and the judgment to come, Felix became frightened and said, “Go away for the present, and when I find time I will summon you.” Acts of the Apostles 24:25.
Prayer: Thank you, Lord, that you want to spend time with me and that you want me to spend time with you. Please forgive all of the times I have failed to find the time to be with you. You have given me as much time each day as you give to everyone. Please help me to utilize that time exactly as you want. Please lead, and help me to follow, in finding the time to be yours. Thank you I can and do bring all of these prayers before you in the name of Jesus. Amen.
Waiting for the Train 