24Several days later Felix and his wife Drusilla, who was Jewish, went to the place where Paul was kept under guard. They sent for Paul and listened while he spoke to them about having faith in Christ Jesus. 25But Felix was frightened when Paul started talking to them about doing right, about self-control, and about the coming judgment. So he said to Paul, "That's enough for now. You may go. But when I have time I will send for you." 26After this, Felix often sent for Paul and talked with him, because he hoped that Paul would offer him a bribe.
27Two years later Porcius Festus became governor in place of Felix. But since Felix wanted to do the Jewish leaders a favor, he kept Paul in jail.
It's true that everybody who shows an interest in us is not our friend. It's a real downer when we find out somebody was only using us for their own purposes.
Felix spent two years in dialogue with Paul purely hoping to extract money out of him. On the surface it probably looked like a friendship. At least it would have looked like two men who enjoyed being together to discuss weighty issues of the time.
I doubt Paul minded. He probably knew the truth of the matter. What Felix didn't understand was that Paul was most likely content with his circumstances. After all, his life was not really any different than it had ever been. Only the geography had changed. Paul was called to preach the Gospel and he was doing it every day.
What is our life about? Living near grandchildren? Making more money? Nice house? None of these things are bad, in and of themselves. I believe when our pursuit of these things results in some level of unrest it proves we have lost our focus. God wants us serving Him. Where it is...and under what conditions...is not our primary concern. We should be able to get up each morning with great joy and anticipation for our opportunity to be faithful one more day.
"This is the day the Lord has made. Let us rejoice and be glad in it!"
Live boldly out there today...
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