Now once home you think he would stay put, but no. This ex slave, this rich boy turned shepherd, turned bishop received a vision to minister to the very people that had snatched him from those he loved and stole six years of his life. I would have questioned that vision. I would have asked, “Why tell me I could come home just to send me back? I was already there!“ I would have argued with that vision. I would have begged for another assignment, but it seems that Patrick was more obedient than I am. After fifteen years and with some learning under his belt he went back to the hills of his oppression. Oh, my gosh, what bravery. What love. No mention of post traumatic stress syndrome here! He spent twenty years, building monasteries, schools, churches and fighting the Celtic druids, Satan’s servants and winning. Sound familiar, read I Kings 18, yet, I haven't heard of a St. Elijah's day, have you? Patrick won souls for God among those that had treated him poorly. He was a exemplary missionary. He had more love than I. Wait! Maybe that is what the six years of slavery were for, to make him aware of Ireland’s lost souls. Providence? Remember the story of Joseph being sold into slavery and saving his family? Have you heard of a St. Joseph's day? Me neither.
Patrick died on March 17th and that has been made into a holy day in his honor. A day for prayers to missionaries world wide. That is well and good, missionaries need our prayers, we all know that. But….where do the green beer, the shamrock and leprechaun come in to this celebration. Once again, Americans have taken something holy and turned it into some thing secular. Something politically correct. The shamrock a sacred symbol representing the birth of spring by the Celts, is now the representation of the God head. Leprechauns, grouchy little Celtic spirits who used their magical powers for good or evil, walk around pubs handing out green beer, after all Ireland is the green land. Oh, and they hide their pot of gold, whereas God wants us to find his riches. Where are the crosses, the signs of Christianity being brought to the lost, remembrances of God’s divine providence? What would Patrick think of this day set aside for him? I’m guessing, and this is just a guess, that he would have favored the day if God was given top billing. If the day brought thoughts of God and our reconciling ministry to the lost. If we used the day going door to door, or country to country, trying to save souls from spiritual death, rather than pub hoping and drinking green beer,(that doesn‘t even sound appetizing to me!)
Instead of walking up to someone and pinching them for not wearing green on St. Patrick’s day, surprise them with something from God. A testimony to save their souls, or a prayer for their health and safety. Give them an opportunity to find what Patrick brought to the lost of Ireland, the gospel of Christ. Or...send money or gifts to your favorite foreign missionary or charity. Saint Patrick’s day is about a man who died for all people everywhere, Jesus Christ himself. It should be a day for all missionaries. Paul, Peter, the apostles; none of them sought extra favors, they knew they were just men doing a king-size job for the King himself.
Oh, and the story about Patrick expelling all the snakes out of Ireland being just a legend., it's true, Patrick practically single handedly (with the help of his higher power, of course,) banished the old serpent, Lucifer, and his wiggly little minions, from the green isles.
Gen 45:1-8
1 Kings 18:20-40
Math. 28:19-20
Act 10:10-26, 34
2 Cor. 5:18-19
No comments:
Post a Comment