Where We Belong

Got a basket? Willing to share it? Had someone not shared theirs, we would be missing a majority of our New Testament.

As often happens, a new convert begins telling people about their experience and makes enemies. This new convert was especially difficult – outspoken, and with impeccable credentials.

He describes himself:

I am verily a man which am a Jew, born in Tarsus, a city in Cilicia, yet brought up in this city at the feet of Gamaliel, and taught according to the perfect manner of the law of the fathers, and was zealous toward God, as ye all are this day. (Acts 22:3 KJV) Circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, an Hebrew of the Hebrews; as touching the law, a Pharisee; Concerning zeal, persecuting the church; touching the righteousness which is in the law, blameless. (Philippians 3:5-6 KJV)

Still known as Saul, with sight regained, And straightway he preached Christ in the synagogues, that he is the Son of God. But all that heard him were amazed, and said; Is not this he that destroyed them which called on this name in Jerusalem, and came hither for that intent, that he might bring them bound unto the chief priests? But Saul increased the more in strength, and confounded the Jews which dwelt at Damascus, proving that this is very Christ. (Acts 9:20-22 KJV)

A borrowed basket got him out of Damascus in Acts 9, and a short journey took him to Jerusalem:

And he spake boldly in the name of the Lord Jesus, and disputed against the Grecians: but they went about to slay him. (Acts 9:29 KJV)

No mention of escaping in a basket this time, but a decision was made to send him home:

Which when the brethren knew, they brought him down to Caesarea, and sent him forth to Tarsus. (Acts 9:30 KJV)

We don’t hear of him again until the first verse in Chapter 13. After that, the New Testament is filled with his writings.

Because someone was willing to share their basket, at the right time, right place, working where God prepared them.

Since God has placed us where we can best be of service to Him, do we have the courage to speak out as Paul did? Can we provide the basket another might need? Both were responding to God’s will in their lives. Do we?