Friday, April 30, 2010
By Dave Sonnenberg
One of the most courageous things we can do in this life is stand up for another person. We can stand up for those:
*who are ignored
*those left out
*those who are persecuted
*those who are being picked on
*those who need to be given a fresh start
Saul, as we have been reading, had something happen in his life where he was starting to change for the better. God had somehow gotten through to him, yet it was very hard for others to believe it was “real change”. Barnabas however comes and puts his reputation on the line saying to the disciples- “trust me. Give him a chance!”
We can be thankful that they did for the Christian movement expanded as fresh starts were offered, the spirits presence was felt, and more were brought into a relationship with God.
Giving another person a “fresh start” is indeed one of the most important spiritual acts we can do in this life- whether it is formal as was the case in todays reading or simply something we do mentally. Time and time again we need fresh starts offered to us by others so we need to challenge ourselves to offer them regularly.
We are offered fresh starts every day by the God. His mercies are new each day- ready to sweep across our life and the lives of others.
Who can you give a fresh start to today- as an act of Christian compassion and care?
Who has given you a fresh start (as Barnabas does in today’s story below)?
Acts 9:23-31
23 After some time had passed, the Jews plotted to kill him, 24but their plot became known to Saul. They were watching the gates day and night so that they might kill him; 25but his disciples took him by night and let him down through an opening in the wall, lowering him in a basket.
Saul in Jerusalem
26 When he had come to Jerusalem, he attempted to join the disciples; and they were all afraid of him, for they did not believe that he was a disciple. 27But Barnabas took him, brought him to the apostles, and described for them how on the road he had seen the Lord, who had spoken to him, and how in Damascus he had spoken boldly in the name of Jesus. 28So he went in and out among them in Jerusalem, speaking boldly in the name of the Lord. 29He spoke and argued with the Hellenists; but they were attempting to kill him. 30When the believers learned of it, they brought him down to Caesarea and sent him off to Tarsus.
31 Meanwhile the church throughout Judea, Galilee, and Samaria had peace and was built up. Living in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit, it increased in numbers.
No comments:
Post a Comment