When you walk into a room, what happens? Are you one of those people that others are drawn too? (It is okay if you say yes 🙂 ) I am very confident you have been gifted and blessed with some gift that God has given you because the people around you need it. Maybe it’s the gift of grace, comfort, prayer, teaching, etc. People know when you use your gifts for God’s Kingdom and will be drawn to you.
This is how I picture the Apostle Paul: When he goes into towns, he quickly becomes known. As we have seen from previous chapters in Acts, this is both good and bad (which actually ends up glorifying God anyway, so it is still good in some way).
Paul knows what people are attracted to. They are attracted to the gifts and graces God has given him. They are attracted, drawn, to him because he is living out God’s plan for his life and using what God has given him. People are drawn to power. So, why not present and live in and with the greatest power in the universe?
In the passage today, we see Paul first starts by telling people about the Holy Spirit. The people are intrigued because they really haven’t heard of the Spirit’s presence in their lives. When they come to the realization they can live with the Holy Spirit of the Living God within them, they are excited and the Spirit begins to do incredible work in and through each of them. Everywhere Paul goes, he shows and proclaims to the people about the Living Jesus Christ. The people experience incredible life change.
Paul teaches and preaches in the synagogues and all around the towns about the Risen Christ and his gospel, life-giving message, for all people. The people are eager to listen and to learn of the One God who absolutely cares for them. This brings about change in the people’s hearts and lives. This is what we should proclaim and emulate every where we go.
But, there are always some who are threatened by the work of the Spirit because it challenges their way of life, their income, their livelihood. This is a big deal. Whenever we bring the message of Jesus Christ to the people around us, we also disrupt the work of those who are so entrapped by worldly wealth and power. When we mess with someone’s business (even if they know deep down it is not right), there are consequences. They will do what they can to get you to leave.
At this point, it seems like the same old story: Paul goes into a town, proclaims Jesus, people are changed, leaders are outraged, something happens to Paul, Paul moves on. What a life to live. But think about this: Paul was very content and joyful with his life and his work. He knew he was doing what God called him to do and that’s all that mattered (read the letter to the Philippians).
Our challenge for today is to be who God called you and I to be, to do what God called you to do and really just watch. When we are obedient to the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives, it is incredible to see what change happens and see what God is doing. Yes, some people will get very upset God’s Kingdom is being proclaimed; but we get to bring light into dark places and bring people with us to see what real life is…Jesus Christ.
Just watch and see everything God is doing. It is amazing.
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