Did You Know This About St. Patrick?
Interesting information about St. Patrick.
And He said to them, Go into all the world and preach and publish openly the good news (the Gospel) to every creature [of the whole human race]. Mark 16:15 (AMPC)
My husband was talking to me about St. Patrick the other day, and the reason we celebrate St. Patrick’s Day on March 17th. So, I went to Google to find out more about him.
St. Patrick was born in Britain ( 385 – 461 ) and was captured at the age of 16 by the Irish raiders and spent six years in Ireland as a slave as a shepherd before escaping. It sounds like, through his writing, that is where he had encountered the Lord with his heart and turned to the Lord.
He later went back to Ireland as a bishop to spread Christianity. That’s admirable to go back as a missionary to a place where you once were a slave. That speaks of forgiveness and love. He chose to walk in forgiveness and love with more concern for their eternal welfare than for himself, being taken from his home of familiar surroundings, and the possibility of being taken from his family, friends, and culture.
How many of us would go back to an individual who has hurt us because we are more concerned about their eternal welfare than our own pain caused by their action? It’s something we need to be more aware of and more concerned about, individuals’ eternal welfare, than our own discomfort.
He also used the three-leaf shamrock to explain the trinity. The Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Apparently, Ireland was a pagan place. It’s said that he raised 33 people from the dead. It sounds like there were signs and wonders, including miracles and healing, during His time of ministry over there.
What kind of creative ideas has the Lord led you to use to share your faith with others, as He did with Patrick, with the shamrock? If not, are we open to allowing the Lord to give us creative ideas for sharing our faith with others? I know it’s making me think about opening up my heart and allowing the Lord to use me in a creative way. He desires to do so.
As I was writing this blog and reading some info on Patrick, I came across this website, and I want to share it with you. I haven’t read everything, but I’ve glimpsed some of his writings, and the little I’ve read has ministered to my heart.
I hope you take the time to read some of his writings and let them speak to your heart. I was encouraged by the amount of prayer he spent throughout the day and the hunger and love he had for the Lord and for others. It made me examine my heart to see how much hunger and love I really have for the Lord. His love for the Lord outwaited any comfort his flesh would be screaming for.
It’s said that he went home to the Lord on March 17th, not as a martyr but as someone willing to be one, and as one who lived a full life. And that’s why we celebrate St. Patrick’s Day on March 17th.
Let’s take a deep look into our own hearts and let the Holy Spirit show us how hungry we are for the Lord and how deep our love is for Him. And let’s grow our hunger and love for Him by spending more time with Him.
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You are a Warrior Heart. Keep pursuing His heart in the quiet places. Keep living the story He lovingly penned. Keep running your race — steady, surrendered, and strong.
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