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"After staying there for a considerable time,
Paul said farewell to the believers and sailed for Syria, accompanied by
Priscilla and Aquila" (Acts 18:18).*
Priscilla and her husband, Aquila, were taught and nurtured in their faith
by Paul and later became missionaries and teachers themselves. As Paul had
witnessed to them, they witnessed to the community at Ephesus, where the church
blossomed and bore much fruit.
We don’t know whether Priscilla and Aquila discerned their calling
together, or if one was influential in leading the other to a life of service
to God’s will. Given that Priscilla’s name is mentioned first in this text,
which was not the normal practice, it is clear that Priscilla was at least
equally involved in the missionary work, and quite possibly the stronger leader
or more devout of the two.
Priscilla seems to have been blessed with a spouse who shared her
willingness to sacrifice and dedicate herself to following God’s call. Does
your response to God’s call require faith on the part of others in your life,
as it did for Priscilla and Aquila? How are you supported in your call, and how
might you help others to discern how God is uniquely calling them?
Despite the hardships and danger of witnessing to Jesus as Messiah,
Priscilla put her trust in God. Perhaps she had a vision of how her response to
God’s call would enrich the lives of many who otherwise would not have heard
the message of God’s grace through Jesus Christ. Or maybe, filled with the
Holy Spirit, she simply responded in faith to God’s direction.
How is God calling you today, and how are you responding? Do you have a
clear sense of call, or do you sometimes question how God seems to be leading
you? Do you feel at times that another is better equipped to serve? God is
patient and persistent when we struggle with self-doubt and fail to see our own
giftedness. Ultimately, however, we are left with the choice to listen to the
call or turn away.
Prayer
God of grace and love, grant me the courage and faith of Priscilla. Take away
those barriers that keep me from responding to your will for my life, and
forgive me for not always recognizing my own giftedness for your work. Open my
eyes and my heart to your call, so that my life may be a reflection of your
love. Amen
Christina Jackson-Skelton is treasurer of the ELCA and a member of Joy!
Lutheran Church in Gurnee, Illinois.
* Other texts about Priscilla: Romans 16:3-5; Acts 18:1-3; 1 Corinthians
16:19
Scripture quotations are from the New Revised Standard Version (NRSV) Bible,
copyright © 1989 by the Division of Christian Education
of the National Council of Churches of Christ in the USA, and are used
by permission. All rights reserved.
Copyright
© 2002 Women of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. All rights
reserved.
May be reproduced for use in congregations of the Evangelical Lutheran
Church in America provided the copyright information above appears on
every copy with these words: Used with permission.
For all other purposes
contact Women of the ELCA.
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