Ephesus was a capital of idolatry in the ancient world.

When Paul and his cohorts arrived in port, they would have been welcomed by a plethora of gods, goddesses, and ardent worshippers. Add to this the lavish revenues of trade and religious tourism, and you had a heady mix of debauchery and greed. Desperate people desperately seeking something in all the wrong places.

Bustling streets filled with prostitutes parading their wares, thinking their trade offered service to the gods. Traders selling trinkets, carved idols, and exotic goods from faraway places. Priests and scantily clad priestesses clambering for the attention of passers by, enticing them to bow their knees to yet another deity.

Among these were the Curates priests, the guardians of the goddess Artemis, wildly beating drums, blowing horns, and frantically dancing to their deafening accompaniment through the streets.

Then and Now

Why do I share this peek into history?

Because it reminds me of the thoroughfare we face every day in our online existence.

So many banging drums, wildly whirling strangers begging for our scant attention, people prostituting their peace and personhood for a meagre return of likes and shares, marketers full of exotic promises pushing hard for a sale.

Early this year, the Holy Ghost told me, “Make it your ambition to lead a quiet life” (1 Thessalonians 4:11 NIV)

To “follow after the things which make for peace” (Romans 14:19 KJV)

The word “peace” here is an interesting one. It’s the Greek word “eirene”, and among other things it means “to set at one again”.

I like that.

It perfectly describes the splintered nature of a torn soul.

It’s so easy to be pulled in every direction and forget who you are!

Reassessing and realigning your ambitions to align with peace is a regular required practice.

For the next few days, I want to explore this thought, beginning tomorrow with “ambition”…