Standing Firm in a Shifting Culture

In Acts 17, we encounter Paul walking into Athens—a city saturated with idols, philosophy, and spiritual emptiness. Rather than responding with anger or condemnation, Paul's spirit was provoked with compassion. This passage challenges us to examine our own sensitivity to the lostness around us. When was the last time the Spirit moved our hearts because of someone else's spiritual emptiness? We all know people who don't know Christ, yet we often become numb to their need. Paul shows us a different way: he perceived the cultural idols, engaged with presence and patience, found common ground, and proclaimed the gospel boldly yet compassionately. He didn't retreat into isolation or compromise the truth to be liked. Instead, he met people where they were and showed them where they needed to go. This is the heart of evangelism—building bridges of understanding and then crossing them with truth. The idols of our culture may look different today—the idol of self, success, and comfort—but the solution remains the same: a risen Savior who offers what no earthly pursuit can provide. We're reminded that presence matters, that long-game faithfulness counts, and that every conversation is an opportunity to reveal God's nearness. The only thing we take to heaven with us is other people, so our priorities must reflect this eternal reality.