Acts 16:2525
About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening to them.
As we give thought to this scripture, can we place ourselves with Paul and Silas? Maybe we could imagine back to the last time we were in prison, shackled, just after a good flogging to cleanse the mind, keeping an eye on the rats, and wondering just what that aroma was, but not really wanting to know.
It’s ‘bout midnight, but unlike Paul and Silas, in my weakness I don’t feel like it’s a good time for worship. In my weakness, it does not feel like it would be a good time to minister to the other prisoners.
Oh, merciful Father that I could be strong enough to worship and minister like Paul and Silas.
I wonder how long it took Paul and Silas to turn to God in this situation. Hmm, being Paul, it was probably pretty quick.
I confess: I am not that good. To me, it seems I spend entirely too much time on doing everything in my considerably limited power before turning to God in my trials and tribulations. I’m afraid I would have been consumed with fear, I would have been dominated by the pain, I would have been complaining, I would have been feeling very sorry for myself, I would have been conspiring to escape, I would not have given a second thought of those around me.
Then sometime after I had gone through my complete repertoire of selfishness. After I had worn myself out, sometime after I fell quite, after I became still, and after I finally turned to look for Him, He would be there. I can sense Him shaking His head, wondering why it always takes me so long to let The One who can calm any storm, calm my storm. He is there, waiting for me yet again. Waiting for me to open my heart, and mind so he can take over. Then He lifts me, gives me strength, and reminds me to help others.
Too often distractions, interruptions, inconsequential problems, and the like derail us from our focus on Christ, and in doing so they can disrupt our time of prayer, disrupt our time of worship or ministry. Delay us in getting our mind where it should be. Delay us in getting to the choice of Christ.
Father, You chose me, You made me, and You love me. Dear God help me focus on You no matter the situation I’m in, help me choose You first, and look to You first. Lord, please give me strength that I may seek You in all things as my first action, then to serve You in helping others.
May His Grace & Peace be on you and yours
