St. Patrick, 15 Years, part 8

Warriors Arise: March 21, 2022

Galatians 2:1-2 (NKJV) Then after fourteen years I went up again to Jerusalem with Barnabas, and also took Titus with me. 2 And I went up by revelation, and communicated to them that gospel which I preach among the Gentiles, but privately to those who were of reputation, lest by any means I might run, or had run, in vain.

After Saul's conversion on the road to Damascus, not only did he receive a new name, but he also went away to be with the Lord and trained fourteen years before returning to Jerusalem. He had to unlearn the rules and regulations of the law and embrace being led by the Spirit of God and develop a relationship with God. His life would no longer be dictated by the rules the Pharisees had put upon the people. He had to relearn the way Jesus taught. He had to embrace loving God with all his heart, with all his mind, with all his spirit and with all his strength. He also had to learn to love they neighbor as thyself. Meaning his position in the church, his titles and genealogy did not matter to God. God can used anybody from anywhere of any status. Therefore, he had to learn to love God and the voice of God with his heart.

St. Patrick had a different experience, but just as important. He was not saved before he was captured and taken to be a slave. But somewhere in captivity he called out to God. His own writing said that he prayed a 100 times during the day and even more at night. After 6 long years of starvation and freezing cold God send a vision in a dream and an angel telling him to his escape and where to go. St. Patrick did not question, but woke up and left immediately. He had learned to listen to God. It is probably what kept him alive those horrific six years of slavery.

After escaping and returning home to his parents home and jurisdiction, he received another vision from God. But this time, he is not quick to respond in the direction of the vision. He is not ready to return to Ireland. There may be several reasons why he didn't respond immediately:

• Would he have to return to being a slave?

• How would he teach these people of God's amazing love?

• Did he have God's love for the Irish?

• Who could he trust?

I can't imagine being asked to return to the place you were in captivity to preach the Gospel, but God has asked this of many. There would be so many things he would have to face. But he didn't feel equipped to return to Ireland. He had nothing but a vision. There was no plan. How could he, a run away slave be able to step foot on the island without being turned over to his former master?

Instead of going to Ireland, he sought to be training in the priesthood in France. He was in training, studying God's Word, praying and learning things beyond his years. Fifteen years he studied in France and worked his way up to Bishop as he trained. But, the time would come when equipping was over and he had to answer the call God had shared in a dream. He had to diligently know the Word, the voice of God, and be led by the Spirit to fulfill God's call on his life. Fifteen years of equipping. Paul spent 14 years with the Lord and Barnabas as his

mentor. They both needed a paradigm shift. They both needed the Father's heart.

Father, there are a number of things You have called me to do. You have given me opportunity to learn under some of the people I needed to teach exactly what I needed to know to accomplish what You have spoken for me to do. You are amazing in all of You ways. You align me with Your love and pour out Your wisdom and understanding in my thoughts. Thank You for training me. Thank You for equipping me. Thank You for the time I spent preparing for what You have called me to do. I want to fulfill the calling You put inside of me. I do not want to jump into doing Your will for my life without being prepared. Thank You for taking the time to train me so I would be ready the You say, "Now, go." Come and complete Your training so I am ready in Jesus' name amen.

A Warrior in the Lord’s Army,

Veridee Joy Hand

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