It's Not Only About Us
Acts 16:16-33
It sounds so simple, and even elementary, but how quickly we forget, when encountering hard times, that it's not only about us. We too often, and too easily, fail to remember that though we praise Him, proclaim Him, and preach His name to all the earth while the sun is shining, that it's the testimony we demonstrate in dark times that brings light and hope to a desperate and seeking world. Paul and Silas had such a testimony. In Acts 16 we read that they were imprisoned for casting out an unclean spirit from a young slave girl. You would think that instead of prison they would have earned some honors or positive recognition for such a miraculous act, or maybe because Paul and Silas were such obedient and faithful servants that the Lord would have freed them from the hands of the wicked. However, we read, "
The crowd joined in the attack against Paul and Silas, and the magistrates ordered them to be stripped and beaten. After they had been severely flogged, they were thrown into prison, and the jailer was commanded to guard them carefully (16:22-23)." Now, here's the lesson, "
About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening to them (v. 25)." Paul was a fortress in regards to faith, and he served the Lord obediently; yet he never raised a question to God when he was imprisoned, he never shook his fist when he was beaten. Instead he raised his hands and voice in praise for others to hear, and found himself in the center of God's plan for someone else's life. And when the power of the Lord shook the prison doors open, it was not so Paul and Silas could find freedom, rather, it was so the prison guard could find life. Thus, after the prison doors were opened, Luke recounts, "
The jailer called for lights, rushed in and fell trembling before Paul and Silas. He then brought them out and asked, 'Sirs, what must I do to be saved?' (v. 30-31)." It was not about Paul or Silas, it never was. It was about God's love for those that Paul and Silas could reach, even those in ear's shot of a darkened prison cell. When undergoing hard times, far too many Christians will cry "How can this be! After all I tithe, I teach Sunday school, I give to the needy, I share, I love, and I preach the good news to all that have ears to hear. I deserve to be blessed. I deserve to overcome this challenge victoriously, and I have earned the right to be above hard times." What we mean to say is "God owes it to me… He owes me for all I have done!" For shame… for shame that anyone should at any time assume that God owes us anything. For shame that we should, at any time, assume that because we bent a knee in confession of faith that we alone are the center of the universe. I'm sorry to be the bearer of bad news, but that was never the agreement. We were never promised freedom from hard times, and we are not above the everyday challenges of life. However, like Paul and Silas, we very often find ourselves as the source from which others find that refuge; and we are very often the means for others to overcome their hard times. Through us, lungs that have not breath can breath; eyes that have not sight can see, and hearts that have no pulse can beat with passion, but only if we continue to be faithful, even through the hard times. We are not the center of the universe, and therefore, every blessing that exists in the heavenly places is not always intended for us. At times, we are a source of blessings from which only others can benefit. We are health for some while we ourselves lay sick; and hope for others while we ourselves are beaten. We are a source of life to a dying world, and like all sources we at times become exhausted. Then, in the Lord's time, and according to the Lord's purpose, we will either be replenished or called home. In this, do not raise your fist to God in disapproval; rather, raise your hands to God in praise, for you are fulfilling the will of His good pleasure, that others may benefit and live. Again, we may not be the center of the universe, but very often we may find ourselves at the center of His plan for some one else's life; and that is the most rewarding place of all.
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Michael D'Urbano
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