“These who have turned the world upside down have come here too.” (Acts 17:6b)
Do you know the phrase “polar opposites”? Usually, it refers to individuals with extremely diverse views on almost anything. Well, as you read this article, Claren and I will be physically experiencing “polar opposites” with you. We will be in or near Antarctica or better said, the South Pole. This trip has been a dream for nearly 20 years, and I found someone else besides Claren who wanted to go there too. Yes, I know that I’m not going to see anything, but glaciers, ice, snow, penguins, Orca whales as well as other polar animals that can stand the extreme cold, but it will be summer. The temperatures will only be in the mid to high 30s. What a summer blast!
Claren and I are experiencing the physical “polar opposites” as we traveled with her parents as far north as Fairbanks, Alaska. Although it will not be nearly as cold there as it will be in Antarctica, we will have experienced the polar extremes. Who would have thought that a little boy from Dothan, Alabama would get these opportunities!!
Our passage from Acts 17 talks of the world being turned upside down, but for a different reason. It just so happened that Paul and Silas were teaching and preaching in Thessalonica. A great multitude of Greeks, especially prominent women, believed in Jesus. Of course, the Jews did not believe and were envious of Paul and Silas. The Jews attempted to find these two men and present them to the rulers of the city, but only Jason, the leader of the Jewish synagogue, could be found. As the Jewish leaders spoke with him, they made the famous statement of the world being turned upside down. In other words, Paul and Silas were causing all kind of chaos within the Jewish and Gentile communities due to the preaching and teaching of these two men. You had “polar opposite” religious beliefs. The Jews were basing their faith on their traditions while Paul and Silas were basing theirs in Jesus Christ. No wonder there was turmoil in the city.
Are we, are you, turning your world upside down? Do others fear us when we come into their presence because they know that you are not afraid to talk about Jesus anytime, anywhere and any place? As we begin 2026, may we turn Pickens County upside down with the Gospel of Jesus Christ!
Until Next Month,
Bro. Lyle