What if you were the first? Maybe you already are. I imagine the excitement and joy bubbling to the surface as you get to know Jesus for the first time. But maybe the fearful glance over your shoulder at what others would think. Will your family or friends get it? Do you care if they get it? Is the acceptance of Jesus worth the rejection you’ll quietly endure? You aren’t the first to go through this you know. I just found someone tucked into Scripture so obscure and so sweet. His name? Epaenetus.
Paul writing his final greetings to the Roman church included a line that thousands of years later struck my heart to reach out to you. “…Greet my beloved Epaenetus, who was the first convert to Christ in Asia” (Romans 16:5).
He was the first, according to Paul, to convert and believe in Jesus in ASIA. The first in his town, his region, and his family. Can you imagine? I wonder what made up his mind to be all in for Jesus? What deep longing was met as he heard of the good news that Christ had paid his penalty for sin on the cross and accepted him into the kingdom of God. What restoration kept him going when others didn’t get his passion for Christ.
He was the first and now there are believers scattered across Asia because the first told the second and the second told the third…. and you and I get to be part of the holy line of tellers of good news. It’s just so sweet I had to share.
The truth is we all get to be the first if we want to. We get to be the first in our neighborhood to start inviting or caring or listening. We get to be the first in our workplace to be light and positivity. We get to be the first in our family to forgive. The first to change as we follow Jesus. It’s not always with our mouths that we share the good news. Be the first wherever you are to love and those around you will know you belong to someone different than the world.
If you read this far that means we’re two peas in a pod. Jot your email down to GET this month’s from ME to YOU freebie…and so I can connect with you more! We’re in this together!
Andrea Chatelain’s mission is to meet women in their struggles and love them forward with God’s truth. She’s a Midwest mom of three, faith and family writer, and English instructor to immigrants and refugees.
Grow in faith with Andrea’s video Devotionals on Our Daily Bread! teachings at Proverbs31 first5app ………Or follow her on Facebook/Instagram.
Andrea Chatelain 