Always Shining

St. Patrick was a Scottish teenager when his village was attacked. The invaders threw him on a ship and took him to Ireland where he was sold as a slave to a farmer. Most of Patrick’s slavery was spent alone as a shepherd, so he talked to God almost constantly. Their relationship deepened. One day, the Holy Spirit told him to go to the coast and find a ship waiting for him to take him home. The ship was there! Patrick earned passage by offering himself as a keeper of the animals on board. The captain accepted, and after some difficulty, Patrick was reunited with his family. After gaining his freedom, Patrick had a dream in which the people of Ireland were crying out, pleading with him to bring the gospel to their nation. He returned to the land of his enslavement, dedicating his life to the Irish people and sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ with them. Let’s stop and consider that Patrick had a lot of reasons to say no to the Lord and the dream He sent. But God used Patrick’s slavery to grow their relationship and prepare Patrick for the calling that was to come. Now, Patrick knew the Irish language and had learned to trust God in his moments and in the big picture. Even though the people of Ireland had treated him horribly, Patrick put his trust in God, showing the same love and compassion Jesus showed him. Patrick was motivated by the gospel. • H. K. Rausch • How does St. Patrick’s trust in God’s will for his life reflect Jesus (John 6:38-40)? • Can you name some people in the Bible who put their faith in God’s promises, even when it was costly to show God’s love to others (1 Samuel 20:31-34; Esther 4:14-16)? Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Colossians 3:12 (NIV)

Read Verses:

Psalm 139:7-10; Romans 8:38-39; Hebrews 13:5