Setting a good and joyful example in tough times makes an impression
| About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God and the prisoners were listening to them, and suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken. And immediately all the doors were opened, and everyone's bonds were unfastened. When the jailer woke and saw that the prison doors were open, He drew his sword and was about to kill himself, supposing that the prisoners had escaped. But Paul cried with a loud voice, "Do not harm yourself, for we are all here." And the jailer called for lights and rushed in, and trembling with fear he fell down before Paul and Silas. (Acts16:25-29) |
Too often we ask, why do bad things happen to good people? Paul and Silas were in jail because, by healing the young girl, they hurt someone's ability to make a living. Sometimes when you stand for a good cause you find yourself in problems. As one called and sent by God how do you react when bad things happen to you?
From our reading today we see that the pain and suffering of Paul and Silas was used to reach out to the prisoners and the jailer. Had they not been cast in jail, the prisoners and the jailer would not have heard the gospel. Paul and Silas did not look at what was happening to them as a punishment, rather they looked at it as an opportunity to praise and worship their God. How do we respond to troubles especially when we know that we have not done anything wrong? If Paul and Silas had began to question whether God had messed up or whether they had misheard God, they would have started to complain and argue with the jailer and fellow prisoners. But Paul and Silas assumed that since God had let them there, that was still God's mission field.
The Church today is plagued with lack of commitment. Most of us have the 'me centred' attitude whose main thought about the Church is "what's in it for me?' instead of "where do you want me to serve you Lord"? God is always at work even in situations where we feel very uncomfortable. The authorities in Paul and Silas situation thought they were in control and had to put the two disciples in their place but it was God who was in control and He was reaching out to the prisoners and the jailer through His faithful disciples. Songs of praise made the jail to be shaken and the chains on the prisoners to break. The jailer probably had no idea that he was going to have an encounter with God. Paul and Silas were caused to suffer because that was the only way they could get access to the prisoners and the jailer.
Sometimes as ministers we feel not appreciated and are always complaining thus painting a very bad picture about ministry that others shun going into ministry. Paul and Silas had been beaten badly and thrown into jail, they praised and worshipped God. An opportunity was given to them to escape but they remained in jail so that the jailer who was spiritually imprisoned could be released. Friends, your pain and suffering of today could be an opportunity for someone to meet God. Give thanks to God in everything.
Have a blessed day.
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Jane Nyirongo is serving the saints in Garden congregation. A mother and grandmother. I enjoy cooking, watching cartoons and reading.
