Too Preoccupied?

The example of Paul being a genuine servant of God is a marvelous one. It seems he was always able to maintain a proper perspective regardless of the situation. He remained humble though he had been the recipient of marvelous insight. (note 2 Corinthians 12:1-10) He would still rejoice when the truth was taught even by some who were not properly motivated ( Philippians 1:18), perhaps even creating some challenges for him in the process. ( Philippians 1:17) Paul did not allow too much focus on himself to allow his nose to get out of joint if he was not always treated well. He also did not allow persecution to stop his ministry. What seems to have made the difference was where Paul's focus continually centered. Paul trusted the Lord to sustain him ( Philippians 4:13) and kept his teaching centered in the message of salvation in Christ.

When Paul began his preaching in Corinth, we read. . .
"(5) When Silas and Timothy arrived from Macedonia, PAUL WAS OCCUPIED WITH THE WORD, testifying to the Jews that the Christ was Jesus." ( Acts 18:5 ESV)

When the notice "OCCUPIED" is hung on a door handle, it implies that people are in that room. It is no longer available. There are bathroom doors which have an alternating "Vacant/Occupied" message exposed in relation to the door being unlocked or locked. A chair that is OCCUPIED is no longer available to others who might still be standing. Yes, it is all about a place being taken up by someone or something else.

The Greek word used by Luke in recording this history of Paul's visit to Corinth is "suneicheto" from "sunecho" ("sun" meaning "together" and "echo" meaning "to hold"). W.E. Vine's Expository Dictionary of New Testament Words points to its literal meaning as "a holding together or compressing" and that it was used for "the narrowing of a way." Can we see how Paul had narrowed his focus to what was of the greatest importance? "PAUL WAS OCCUPIED WITH THE WORD." That was why he was there and Christ was kept central to the message he preached. (note also 1 Corinthians 2:2 and 15:3-4) It is true Paul OCCUPIED some of his time making tents ( Acts 18:2-3) to help support himself while at Corinth, however he was most intent (no pun intended) on preaching the Gospel of Jesus.

I find it interesting that Luke used the same word in Acts 7:57 for those who "stopped" ("sunechon", from "sunecho") their ears as they rushed forward to stone Stephen as he had preached regarding Christ. It appears -- due to what already OCCUPIED their minds -- they had no room for the message of Jesus.

It is so easy to become "preoccupied" with ourselves, with preconceived ideas, with what others are doing to us, or with other urgent issues of life. When this happens we become less OCCUPIED with what is of greatest importance. Are we OCCUPIED WITH THE WORD; daily reading it, meditating on it, applying it to daily living, sharing it, etc.? To be so OCCUPIED will guard against us being distracted from fulfilling the Will of God as we go about our daily life. There is much that can OCCUPY our time. It is the Word of God that will not only hold our life together, but our focus as well through life's varied situations. May we keep our focus on God's Word as we stop our ears from being swayed by the ideologies of the world around us.

Have a great day LIVING A CHRIST OCCUPIED LIFE!
Carl

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