Staying Put

We tend to see mission as taking us places and, of course, frequently it does - but sometimes we are simply called to be. Some might call that presence evangelism. Just being around and standing up for what God calls us to can be the thing to do. It is even the case that we might sometimes then be led to some really good things. That is certainly what is going on in Iconium, as recorded in Acts 14:3 - "So they remained for a long time, speaking boldly for the Lord, who testified to the word of his grace by granting signs and wonders to be done through them" (NRSV). Loveday Alexander comments ("Acts", BRF, 2006, p. 108): "Mission here is a matter of staying put in a difficult situation as long as one can, doing one's own part in 'speaking boldly for the Lord' - and, much more importantly, watching in awe to see what God is doing."