Searching for Agabus: Embracing Authenticity and Finding Your Way to You

An overlooked background figure in the grand narrative of the apostle Paul, Agabus (Acts 21:10-14) bursts from the epistles with an audacious prophecy. In a world where everyone wants to be the main character, Agabus remains a minor one with powerful relevance for today. Gleaning from Agabus's story, we can bravely be our authentic selves, honoring what God has assigned us to do, no matter how small or insignificant it seems.

Exploring Agabus to convey the countercultural message that an anonymous life of authenticity and service is more important than approval of others or even fame, popular pastor and speaker Michael Walrond, in Searching for Agabus, dares us to be our authentic selves and to fulfill our callings in joyful anonymity. Walrond shares a painful personal loss that taught him this lesson. Based on this minor prophet's role in the formation of the early church and his significance as represented by feast days that continue even now, we can release the societal need for "likes" and "follows" and instead enter a journey of self-discovery. There are blessings in anonymity; we can live quietly and find our way home to ourselves and to God.

Michael Walrond is a popular keynote speaker and the pastor of First Corinthian Baptist Church of New York City. He has lectured widely, including at Yale Divinity School and Morehouse College. He is a cohost with Al Sharpton of the nationally broadcast weekly radio program Keepin' It Real. He has appeared on or written for NBC News, The Wall Street Journal, New York Amsterdam News, The Huffington Post, The New York Times, CNN, and more.