WP Message (August 7, 2005)

Abraham 9-10-06

posted by reachgarland @ 1:15 PM 0 comments

Action and Reaction

(Acts 16:25-34)

In this passage, we see our friends Paul and Silas in an extenuating circumstance. They are bound in prison for liberating a young girl from Satan's grasp. Nevertheless, it isn't a pleasant situation they find themselves in and they must make the most out of it. We can all attest to various situations in life that we did not foresee. That phone call that you receive on a Thursday evening; the doctor's diagnosis that is decreed; the email from your boss; all these seemingly random catalysts that bring about situations that were not anticipated. Life is full of surprises: some pleasant and some less so. It is important to not let yourself be caught of guard. Paul and Silas were put in prison after being severely beaten. But they knew what to do. The actions of Paul and Silas seem very strange to me; very peculiar. They do not act like normal people.

Personally, if I was innocently put in jail, I would first try to voice my case; find someone that would listen to me like a lawyer -- someone to sympathize with me. I would complain about the injustice done to me. If that proves useless, I would then use my vast knowledge of prison escaping techniques to get out of the place. If nothing else works, I can see myself crunched on the floor having a pity party with those around me. Paul and Silas do none of these things. They have the insight to put God's plan over their present situation. Knowing that God controls the universe and that nothing catches Him by surprise, they submit themselves in worship to the Creator. Thus, their actions are in accord with the knowledge of God's omnipotence.

In response to their actions, we see the reaction of the other prisoners. Newton said that to every action there is an equal and opposite reaction. This is true in a social perspective also. As Christians, people intently watch our every move. It does not matter our location or occupation. Whether we are in a nursing home, an oval office, a courtroom or a classroom people constantly react to our actions. In Paul and Silas' case, the reaction was that all the prisoners felt God's presence to such a degree that they did not escape (even though the doors were open) -- thus leading to the conversion of the jailer. That was a strong reaction! We are like the white cue ball in billiards. If hit correctly, the cue ball disperses all the other balls in different directions. Our actions always affect those around us. Whether the reactions are negative or positive depends heavily on our actions.

When life throws different situations our way, we must remember that our actions should not be "normal" but abnormal (we Christians are strange people). When acting in a way that is truly Christ-like, other people will react to us -- react to Christ. Remember, people are watching !!

-Daniel Wilson

posted by reachgarland @ 6:44 AM 0 comments