⁷ On the contrary, they recognized that I had been entrusted with the task of preaching the gospel to the uncircumcised, just as Peter had been to the circumcised.⁸ For God, who was at work in Peter as an apostle to the circumcised, was also at work in me as an apostle to the Gentiles. ⁹ James, Cephas^[c] and John, those esteemed as pillars, gave me and Barnabas the right hand of fellowship when they recognized the grace given to me. They agreed that we should go to the Gentiles, and they to the circumcised. ¹⁰ All they asked was that we should continue to remember the poor, the very thing I had been eager to do all along. – Galatians 5: 7-10

The leaders of the Jerusalem church (James, the brother of Jesus; Cephas, also known as Peter, and John) accepted Paul and his ministry to the Gentiles. They approved Paul’s ministry, knowing that Paul did not require the Gentiles to come under the Mosaic Law to find favor with God. The gospel for the uncircumcised had been committed to me, as the gospel for the circumcised was to Peter: Paul’s main ministry was to Gentiles, and Peter’s main ministry was to Jews. These distinctions were not absolute; each did minister to the other groups.Yet, the distinction is interesting for us because it proves the commitment of God to utilize the entirety of the church body. God clearly could have used only Paul or only Peter. He chose, instead, to use both.

This encourages me especially in a time of Covid-19. So much of our existence now is tied to policy. What are the rules for gathering? Do we have to wear a mask? Are we socially distanced? We ask more questions about policy of establishments then we do about the establishments purpose itself. Discussions about school center around Covid instead of learning. Conversations about church centers around legality instead of Christ.  The reality of our world sometimes makes us feel small. Do we really matter sitting in a small rural country town? Does anyone truly care about what happens to Gibson City?

From a state and federal level, I am unsure. I am sure, though, that Gibson City matters to God. I am sure that if God used both Peter and Paul for a specific purpose than He is using your testament for a specific purpose. YOU ARE JUST AS IMPORTANT TO GOD’S KINGDOM AS PAUL AND PETER. Do you believe you are important in God’s kingdom? I hope your answer to that question is “YES! I believe.” And, if you believe you are important in God’s kingdom, then who is God asking YOU to share the gospel with today? For Paul it was the gentile. For Peter it was the Jews. Who is God calling you to share your testimony with?