Just Passing Through

“They came to Ephesus, and he left them there, but he himself went into the synagogue and reasoned with the Jews.”

— Acts 18:19 (CSB)

Background

Ephesus was no ordinary city. It was one of the most powerful and influential cities in the Roman Empire—famous for its harbor, culture, commerce, and especially the Temple of Artemis, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World.

It was a stronghold of idol worship and spiritual darkness—but also a place filled with hunger and searching.

Paul first arrived in Ephesus at the tail end of his second missionary journey. He didn’t stay long. Just long enough to reason with the Jews in the synagogue and plant a seed. When they asked him to stay longer, he said no—but he left behind Priscilla and Aquila, a faithful husband-wife team who carried the flame forward.

This wasn’t Paul’s great ministry moment. Not yet. This was just obedience. Just showing up. Just passing through.

Devotional

Sometimes sacred places don’t feel sacred at first.

Sometimes they feel like a quick stop, a barely-opened door, a “maybe later.”

But God works in the planting just as much as in the harvest.

Paul didn’t linger. He didn’t start a revival that day. But he stepped in. And his simple, faithful obedience set the stage for a mighty movement of God that would follow.

We often want to see the fireworks, the miracles, the outpouring. But what if all God’s asking you to do today is just show up? Speak one truth? Plant one seed?

The first sacred moment in Ephesus wasn’t a riot or a miracle or a revival. It was a man with a message, stepping into a hard place, then trusting God to do the rest.

Prayer

Lord,

Thank You for reminding me that obedience doesn’t always feel dramatic.

Sometimes You call me to step in, say yes, plant seeds, and trust You with the rest.

Help me be faithful, even when I feel like I’m just passing through.

Amen.

Reflective Question

Where might God be asking you to step into obedience, even if the results aren’t immediate?

What seed might you be planting today that God will water later?