Wed. Aug. 27th :: Acts 24 :: The Convenient List

Several days later Felix came with his wife Drusilla, who was Jewish. He sent
for Paul and listened to him as he spoke about faith in Christ Jesus. As Paul
talked about righteousness, self-control and the judgment to come, Felix was
afraid and said, "That's enough for now! You may leave. When I find it
convenient, I will send for you."

(Acts 24.24-26)

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Most of us have a list of things we do only when it is convenient.

For some of us the convenient list applies to exercise, housework, changing the oil, calling mom and dad, vacuuming the rug, etc… We all have a list, and the logic behind every item on it is the assumption that these things are worth doing, but only when they fit into the schedule of other MORE IMPORTANT things. And the scary thing is, our schedules (like our bank accounts) don't lie.

For the Roman governor in this passage, hearing the gospel was an activity placed firmly on the convenient list. He apparently sensed that he should listen to Paul, but when things got a bit too close to home, he backed off until it was 'convenient' to come back.

And if we're honest, we do the same.

For many of us, hearing God’s Word proclaimed (i.e. attending regular worship gatherings), spending time in the Scriptures, giving, serving, etc…are items we relegate to the convenient list. While other activities, you know, the really essential ones (for me that’s watching The Office, playing my guitar, getting my morning coffee) are placed on the priority list.

Yet it strikes me that the sign of Christian MATURITY is measured largely by the way in which we synchronize our priority list with God’s priority list. And that’s not easy for most of us.

So here’s my request today:

Take some time to think about what’s on your ‘convenient list’ and what’s on your ‘priority list’. Then ask yourself:

What’s good about this picture, and what’s not?
How do I need to reorder my priorities to pursue maturity?

Because as it was with Felix in Paul’s day, the cultural and monetary signs of success are often far different from the ones God uses to judge us by.

PEACE.