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I don’t know about the rest of you, but truthfully, I don’t mind being in a good fight. Not that I going around looking to start one, but I certainly don’t back down easily especially when there is something at stake. In chapter 6 we are introduced to Stephen who is brought to serve and take of widows. He is obviously a servant who is ordained into a position where he can use his gifts, however, as we will see tomorrow, Stephen is no pushover. He is not someone who will back down from a fight and is willing to speak his mind and stand up for what he believes while keeping himself pure. We can learn a lot from Stephen (Ok, ok, I can learn a lot from Stephen). Stay tuned for tomorrow’s reading to see just how bold and spirit-filled Stephen can be.
The first thing that hits me in this passage is the disciples ability to delegate. Notice what the disciples reaction wasn’t to the accusation of discrimination. They didn’t say, “No we aren’t!”. They didn’t freak out and then wonder how they (themselves) would take care of it. They didn’t take on the responsibility knowing full well they didn’t have time, and therefore resulting in both the preaching, teaching and feeding suffering. They didn’t feel guilty that they couldn’t do it themselves, and therefore take over that part of the ministry. Nope. They saw there was a complaint/need and found others to take care of it, so they could continue in their strengths. How often do we think we have to take on all the responsibilities? How often do we hear of a need, feel guilty about not doing something about it even though it would distract us from what God is actually telling us to do, and therefore take that need on? We’ve all been given specific abilities and gifts. When we take on something that isn’t in that skill set or take something on that is distracting us from what God really has on our docket, we are robbing others of an opportunity for God to have them do something. These disciples saw a need, didn’t react in co-dependence and just take it on themselves. They saw a need and found people who could do it so they continue in the work God had told them to do. Love seeing healthy boundaries in the Bible because we humans have such sucky ones at times! (I’m such a fan of healthy boundaries:)).
The religious leaders get such a bad rap in the New Testament, but there were a number who converted, as verse 7 points out. Not sure if that really means anything, but something to take note of:).
Side note: I just started Forgotten God by Francis Chan. Fittingly, we’re also going through Acts. This should be a fun time:)