Christian Living
Larry Lilly's Letter Monday November 28, 2011
Have you ever been witness to a truly outstanding effort put forth by an individual who outranked everyone else, yet was going about what needed to be done with élan? I have on a few occasions and on a few more have enjoyed the privilege. There are several cases in the Bible and the one I focus on today just struck me the other day while I was rereading the account. Here is the verse:
Acts 28:3 "And when Paul had gathered a bundle of sticks, and laid them on the fire, there came a viper out of the heat, and fastened on his hand."
The backstory is a shipwreck so terrible that it was a miracle that anyone survived yet each person did survive. In the drama before us the weather is nasty, and a makeshift fire is being used in an attempt to keep warm. A viper comes out of the bundle of sticks and bites Paul. The natives assume Paul is a horrible man and will soon die from the poison. Paul does not die and this causes the natives to assume he is a god come down among men and tend to worship him. Paul uses this opportunity to impact the natives for Christ.
Everyone has heard sermons on this event and most of the ones I have heard are better than the ones I have preached. But one thing is often overlooked. Paul was without doubt the most accomplished man in the mix. Most likely he was the one walking closest to Jesus. He may have also been the frailest. Paul did not use his prestige or his frailty to excuse himself from the work. He went at it with gusto, hence my word élan near the beginning of this piece.
The point to all this is an old truth that our fathers knew and for the most part used to their advantage; "He that is too big to do the little menial things is too little to be trusted with the finer work." Wow.
The eminent Paul an Apostle of Jesus Christ was vigorously gathering sticks for the fire which benefited all. Certainly this intellectual and spiritual giant understood that such accomplishment demanded true humility in lessor tasks. It's true that Paul was a prisoner which makes the labor all the more astonishing. If, you as Paul find yourself a prisoner for any reason, you may follow the example of Paul to your advantage. If not as a prisoner, it then becomes easy to be willing to be involved in the work of Christ even if the accolades are non-existent.
Solomon touched on this theme in Proverbs 20:6 "Most men will proclaim every one his own goodness: but a faithful man who can find?" It's a good question and if you decide to be the faithful one, God has some special things for you.
All of us cannot be a Paul at the intellectual area, but about anyone can vigorously gather sticks without cheerleaders and the band playing.
Larry Lilly Copyright © 2011 Use with credit.
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The scientists say,'The higher you go,the cooler it becomes'. The higher the Lord elevates us,the more humble we must become.Thanks for the good work.
The scientists say,'The higher you go,the cooler it becomes'. The higher the Lord elevates us,the more humble we must become.Thanks for the good work.
The scientists say,'The higher you go,the cooler it becomes'. The higher the Lord elevates us,the more humble we must become.Thanks for the good work.
The scientists say,'The higher you go,the cooler it becomes'. The higher the Lord elevates us,the more humble we must become.Thanks for the good work.
The scientists say,'The higher you go,the cooler it becomes'. The higher the Lord elevates us,the more humble we must become.Thanks for the good work.
The scientists say,'The higher you go,the cooler it becomes'. The higher the Lord elevates us,the more humble we must become.Thanks for the good work.
The scientists say,'The higher you go,the cooler it becomes'. The higher the Lord elevates us,the more humble we must become.Thanks for the good work.
The scientists say,'The higher you go,the cooler it becomes'. The higher the Lord elevates us,the more humble we must become.Thanks for the good work.
The scientists say,'The higher you go,the cooler it becomes'. The higher the Lord elevates us,the more humble we must become.Thanks for the good work.
The scientists say,'The higher you go,the cooler it becomes'. The higher the Lord elevates us,the more humble we must become.Thanks for the good work.
The scientists say,'The higher you go,the cooler it becomes'. The higher the Lord elevates us,the more humble we must become.Thanks for the good work.
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