This week in my Bible study, we read Acts 19-21, and as I read some commentary I was struck by a point of the author commenting on Paul's ministry in Ephesus, "Paul had no quiet room and hours of leisure for writing." Yet he was a prolific writer, a fierce encourager and a passionate teacher/evangelist for the cause of Christ.
As I read, it struck me, "That sounds like motherhood!" Most days I have no quiet room or hours of leisure to spend in the kind of prayer, Bible study, blogging that I would like. And yet I'm guessing from how Paul writes of his work hours and what I know of the housing situations of the time period, I'm certain Paul had it worse then me. And yet he was one of the greatest messengers of the gospel EVER! He was used by God to grow the circle of believers out of Jerusalem, in to Antioch, through the Middle East and in to Europe. The Roman world went from pagan, cultic worship to predominately Christian within 300 years, because of the work of Paul. Roman gods and goddesses are long forgotten outside of history books and tours of the temple ruins and Jesus Christ is honored around the world because Paul worked and taught and encouraged and discipled tirelessly for the name of God.
And I think I have no space for quiet prayer? I complain about the time I have for Bible study or ministry or service?
Yes, I am in the thick of a difficult phase of mothering. My children are time consuming, focus-taking, delightful little creatures. They need help, nurturing, teaching, discipline, and loving attention. Yes, I am completely drained each night and never make it to a morning where I wish my kids didn't sleep later. But I'm convicted that maybe I'm not using the time I have to its fullest. Maybe I need to focus less on having a quiet room and more on using the room I have. Maybe I need to reconsider how I think about ministry, service and discipleship and how that fits in my life.
Paul wrote some of the richest, most doctrinal letters in the Bible. He invested in the lives of men and women with great purpose and success, while staying in the homes of others (not his own) and working as a tentmaker to provide his own living. He knows what my life is like. And he modeled his life after Jesus, who experienced much the same life, with no quiet room or leisurely hours. While certainly there is a need for such times of quiet, the space for leisurely writing or rest. And I just read a great blog about that need for rest:
http://www.patheos.com/blogs/thinplaces/
But if I want to be a devoted follower of Christ (and I do), then I must model my faith even when the rubber is pounding the road, my kids are asking to play or I'm exhausted and craving a warm bed. Because like Paul, sometimes I have no quiet room.
