#soap # Acts 26 ## Title: Do You Wish Others Had What You Have? ## Scripture: (Acts 26:28-29) Agrippa said to Paul, “In such a short time are you persuading me to become a Christian?” Paul replied, “I pray to God that whether in a short or a long time not only you but also all those who are listening to me today could become such as I am, except for these chains.” (NET) ## Observation: I was talking with someone the other day and they expressed that two things were happening in their life. They knew they were not walking closely with the Lord and they were experiencing heightened levels of anxiety. They knew these things were connected, yet were not doing anything about it. I could not judge this person because I have been there, too. We know what is wrong and we know the solution. Yet, in the depths of our difficulty, we seem to have no stamina to make a step forward. Paul wished for everyone to have what he had. Paul’s pursuit of God had not led to an easy life, but it was a blessed life full of seeing lives changed. We need to remember our walk with God is not an easy walk, but it is a powerful walk. It is full of highs and lows. Even in the low moments when we know what to do but do not do it, we are still blessed. We have hope that if we walk closer with the Lord, we can experience His presence. That can cause us to wish others had what we have. This is not because we have perfect lives. It is because we have hope. ## Application: Share your hope with others without shame. This does not mean you have to have a perfect life. You’re sharing the fact you have hope. ## Prayer: Thank You, Jesus, for always being there.