"Okay to Cry"

EPISODE 142

Engage Your Heart in Service

Watch

Listen

Read

When was the last time you had a good cry? Has it been a while? While there's lots of reason to be brought to tears, as the apostle Paul makes his way to Jerusalem in Acts 20, he shares a few emotional moments with the elders of the Ephesian church.

Serving the Lord

"You yourselves know how I lived among you the whole time from the first day that I set foot in Asia, serving the Lord with all humility and with tears and with trials that happened to me through the plots of the Jews" (Acts 20:18-19).

Paul's service to the Lord was more than academic — but deeply personal. As he traveled throughout the world teaching, he humbled himself with tears as he faced the Jewish opposition. And as the Jews rejected Christ, Paul would have given up his salvation in exchange for theirs (Rom. 9:3).

Do you take your service personally? Do you get emotional when someone rejects the Lord's will? Let's get our hearts engaged and feel the depth of joy — and sadness — over the work we're doing today!

Defending the Flock

"Pay careful attention to yourselves and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to care for the church of God, which he obtained with his own blood. ... be alert, remembering that for three years I did not cease night or day to admonish every one with tears" (Acts 20:28, 31).

Paul begs them to stay alert as shepherds, using himself as an example. For three years, he was continually on guard with tears. And watching out for others can be a gut-wrenching task, especially when things aren't going well. If you're a parent, you've probably experienced the pain of seeing your little ones suffer.

Let's remember that slipping away from the Lord doesn't just impact you, but also those who love you. Pay attention and stay alert against the devil's schemes with prayer and perseverance (Eph. 6:18)!

Saying Goodbye

"And when he had said these things, he knelt down and prayed with them all. And there was much weeping on the part of all; they embraced Paul and kissed him, being sorrowful most of all because of the word he had spoken, that they would not see his face again ..." (Acts 20:36-38).

Paul's not sure what the coming days hold, other the promise of imprisonment and affliction (Acts 20:23). It’ll be the last time he sees them. So saying his final goodbyes to some of his closest brothers, there isn't a dry eye among them. And while goodbyes are never easy, there's always hope to see our faithful friends again in eternity.

So, may God soften our hearts today. And next time you find yourself touched by trouble or loss, remember from Paul's example that it's okay to cry.