When you visit Ireland as Eloise and I did four years ago, you can't help but be impressed by the effect Christianity has had on Irish history. We walked among ancient ruins of Christian communities in many parts of the island. We visited museums that displayed artifacts and information about the role of Christianity. And we visited Saint Patrick's Cathedral for a worship service. Christianity, brought to Ireland by Patrick, has indeed had a tremendous influence on that nation.
What most of us may not realize is that our world would likely be much different if Patrick had not evangelized Ireland beginning in 433. Within about 40 years, he had evangelized the whole nation. And as a result, Ireland became the repository for not only Christianity, but also for education and learning when most of Europe was suffering through the middle and dark ages. It was then the Celts that re-evangelized Europe, and brought with them education and learning that had been stored for all those years.
We can all be grateful that God chose to allow the circumstance of a 16-year old named Patrick being kidnapped and sold into slavery in Ireland to prepare him to return to Ireland years later to teach about Christ, and centuries later, to have descendents of his converts re-introduce Christianity to the Western World.
What outcomes might God have in mind for what he is using you to do?
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