When they had arrived and had gathered the assembly
together, they reported all the things that God had done with them, and that he
had opened a door of faith to the nations - Acts 14:27
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| Photo by Pexels.com |
I remember a time when I was asked to help organize an event. After everything came together beautifully, someone publicly praised me for the success. For a moment, I felt proud, even tempted to soak in the applause. But deep down, I knew it wasn't just my work—it was a team effort, guided by God's hand. That experience taught me about the importance of humility and redirecting the spotlight to where it truly belongs.
Reading Acts 14:13-28, I'm reminded of this lesson. When Paul and Barnabas healed a man in Lystra, the crowd thought they were gods. Imagine how overwhelming that must have been—people ready to worship you, offering sacrifices in your honor. But Paul and Barnabas didn't hesitate to correct them, tearing their clothes and shouting that they were just human like everyone else. They pointed the people to the living God instead.
Giving Glory Where It's Due
It's easy to take credit when things go well in our lives, but Paul and Barnabas show us how to redirect the glory to God. Their humility challenges us to ask: In our everyday successes, do we remember to point others to God? Whether it's at work, school, or home, how often do we acknowledge His hand in our achievements?
Staying Strong in Hard Times
Later in the story, Paul is stoned and left for dead. Yet, instead of giving up, he gets up and goes back into the city. It's a striking example of courage and resilience. Most of us won't face physical stoning, but we all encounter moments when life knocks us down—harsh words, failures, or tough circumstances. Paul's response encourages us to lean on God for strength and to keep going, even when the journey is tough.
Building Each Other Up
What stands out most to me is how Paul and Barnabas returned to encourage the believers in the cities where they had faced persecution. They didn't let fear stop them from strengthening others in their faith. It's a reminder of how much we need community. Who in our lives might need encouragement right now? How can we remind them that God is with them, even in their struggles?
Trusting God's Bigger Plan
At the end of the journey, Paul and Barnabas share how God opened the door of faith to the Gentiles. Their humility and trust in God's work are inspiring. Sometimes, we don't see immediate results from our efforts, and it's easy to feel discouraged. But this passage reminds us that the results are in God's hands, and He is always at work, even when we don't realize it.
Living the Lesson
This story challenges us to:
- Stay humble, giving glory to God in our achievements.
- Persevere in faith when things get tough.
- Encourage and build up the people around us.
- Trust God's plan, knowing He is working even in ways we can't see.
Like Paul and Barnabas, we are called to share God's love, face challenges with courage, and lift each other up. Their journey may seem distant from our daily lives, but their lessons are as relevant today as they were then. Let's take those lessons to heart and live them out in our own unique paths.
Reflection on Acts 14:13-28 by Marlon Bobier Vargas, SVD
