As I’ve been reading ahead in the book of ACTS for our Wednesday night study, I noticed an interesting fact regarding Paul’s service on the island of Malta after being shipwrecked.  The story occurs in Acts 28 and the thing we remember is that Paul was bitten by a poisonous snake with no ill effects.  That truly is a miraculous event, but have you ever considered what Paul was doing when he was bitten.

It says that “..it was raining and cold.  Paul gathered a pile of brushwood and, as he put it on the fire, a viper, driven out by the heat, fastened itself on his hand.” (Acts 28:3).  Think of it.  Here is the great apostle; preacher to thousands, planter of churches, miracle worker and healer.  Here’s a man who has spoken before kings and rulers.  Here’s a man who wrote a third of the New Testament.  Yet, on a cold rainy night he gathers brushwood for the fire.

Paul could have sat grumbling about how terrible life was treating him.  After all he’s a prisoner.  He’s  been falsely accused.  Now, he’s been shipwrecked.  He could have said, “Let someone else tend the fire.”  “Let some else gather sticks.”  “I’m too important.” Or, “I’m too tired.”  Or “it’s not my job.”  Or “tending fires is not my gift.”  He could have found a million excuses, but instead he serves.  In Galatians 5:13 Paul encourages the church to “serve one another in love.”  Here he models that love in a place where few would even notice.

I’ve been impressed by that same spirit of service after our first night of Vacation Bible School.  Not only do we have a dedicated staff of workers, but many showed up just to ask, what can we do?  It is great to see love in action.  Thanks to all of you who are pitching in to make this VBS week a success.

Hope you have a great week!

Pastor Barry

 

 
 


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