Tale of Two Families

S

(Acts 18:9,10) And the Lord said to Paul one night in a vision, "Do not be afraid, but go on speaking and do not be silent for I am with you, and no one will attack you to harm you, for I have many people in this city who are my people."

O

Paul--with Aquila and Priscilla, and with Silas, and with Timothy--had a fruitful ministry with the Gentiles there in Corinth. The threats from the Jews had frightened Paul enough for him to consider retiring in silence. It would have been catastrophic for the world if the Corinthian Church had not struggled through--and Paul, specifically, would have suffered great and unnecessary disappointment. So he stayed there for his full 18-month, Holy Spirit appointment.

A (Personal)

In shocking honesty, the Holy Spirit recorded a subsequent attack made against Paul. It turned out that Paul (unlike Sothenes) was not physically harmed, but this close call very nearly contradicted the Holy Spirit's earlier promise, quoted above. The closeness of this attack must had been confusing, theologically and relationally disconcerting. From this multi-layered crisis, it is apparent that the development and maturation of our faith--will I trust God in either pain or suffering?--is more precious than our accumulation of wealth, our comfort, or even our security (1 Peter 1:6,7). Jesus is our only reliable wealth, comfort, or security even if He calls us into a season of sharing His suffering. He remains our all-in-all even if He calls us into circumstances that risk us perceiving Him as being indifferent or unreliable. He eventually proves Himself to be right and trustworthy.

A (Historical)

Gallio, the proconsul of Achaia, is an important part of this prophetic message. (He is the magistrate that Paul was brought to.) When the Romans sent a governor into that country, Adam Clarke researched, they called him the "Governor of Achaia" not the Governor of Greece, because when the Romans conquered the Greeks, the Achaians were the leaders of all Greek affairs--they were the leaders of leaders. Gallio was born Marcus Annaeus Novantus, but after being adopted into the Gallio family, he took the name Lucius Junius Gallio. History also tells us that Gallio was the elder brother of the celebrated Stoic philosopher Seneca and the brother of Annaeus (who was the father of the still-revered poet Lucan).

This family got along well apparently. Seneca described Gallio as a man of "most amiable mind and manners, of the sweetest disposition, affable to all, and beloved of every man." Yet, despite his charm and winsomeness among his peers, he turned a deaf ear toward Paul's defense and a blind eye toward the social injustice that we brought before his area of leadership and responsibility. These Gallio brothers were well positioned in power and popularity. Seneca was also Nero's preceptor (the headmaster overseeing the young Caesar's tutelage). Gallio, with all his worldly power and privilege, chose to find his security in the power of Rome and the affections of people instead of being open to God's grace. In time, all three brothers--Gallio, Annaeus, and Seneca--were put to death by Nero.

A (Psychological)

Griffin and Tyrrell (Family Therapy Magazine, Nov-Dec 2008, pp. 26-30) describe our need for meaning. Our healthy sense that life has meaning and purpose comes from our motivation to actively engage with the world. Only when we lose the motivational energy that promotes social engagement does the sense that life is meaningful drain away. We experience this innate life-has-meaning sense as emotional needs, which include the following needs:

1. Security—safe territory in the home and outside where we can live without experiencing excessive fear and anxiety.
2. Volition—a sense of autonomy and control over what is happening around and to us
3. Attention—receiving it, abut also giving it
4. Emotional connection with other people—both individually (friendship, love, intimacy) and communally (respect, status)
5. Privacy—time to reflect and consolidate our experiences
6. Value—a sense of competence and achievement
7. Meaning and Purpose—this comes from being stretched mentally or physically (or both)

They cite three ways to achieve meaning: (1) Serving—and being responsible for other people, (2) Learning and doing more—pushing oneself to develop new skills, and (3) Belief framework (religious, spiritual, political, or philosophical)—these help us focus our fragmented consciousness on a bigger picture.

So another fundamental law: If our innate needs are met well, we are mentally healthy—we cannot be otherwise. When they are not being met, however, our anxiety levels rise and we start to worry. This is the beginning, not only of depression, but of all mental illness. It follows that from what Griffin and Tyrrell have outlined that the only answer there ever will be to mental distress is to create a culture where as many people as possible get their innate needs met on an ongoing basis. That sounds like a normal Church--a reason for Paul to not retire in silence ... or us either.

P

Lord, because there is always much more going on, much more at stake than I can ever perceive or understand, help me to remain available to Your leadership. In all my decisions, I choose to be a simple, loving and faithful servant of Yours. Help me to remember my place in Your grace--never deserving it, but always ready to humbly receive it and generously share its bounty.