Acts 28:1–15

 Bonus Devotion Day 

(Two devotions today I ran out of days before devotions.  Expect the next devotion about 9:00 am)

Acts 28:1–15

As we read the record of Paul’s travels, it is a pendulum of good and then bad circumstances following in quick succession. He is sailing to Rome to preach the Gospel; the ship is in a storm; an angel promises safety; the ship is wrecked; everyone makes it to shore; it is cold and rainy; the locals build a fire; a snake bites Paul. It is a roller coaster of ups and downs. None of these events are specific to or the result of ministry, but it was the story in which Paul lived. We never get the idea that Paul asks, “Why me?” He doesn’t promote himself as spiritually superior because of the good things. He doesn’t grumble toward God because of the bad things. Life happens; it is the unexpected events that creep onto us day by day and through which our character shines out. God’s control of all things doesn’t mean God keeps us from every little circumstance of trouble. To ask why is to ask a question that may never be answered this side of Heaven, and when we get to Heaven we likely won’t care to hear the answer. Faithful, godly people on the roller coaster of life know that this is just part of life.

Rather than ask “why,” a better question may be “How can I serve in this moment?” As Paul and his team prepared to leave Malta, we saw that the natives took wonderful care of them. That would not have happened if Paul had acted like a spoiled, sulking princess. We see Paul helping with the firewood, we see Paul in ministry to the sick, and we see Paul in the role of a servant. There’s nothing more unbecoming of a Christian than acting as if some act of service or menial labor is beneath them. There is no specific mention of Paul teaching or preaching at Malta; we might assume that he did. If a Christian imagines that some work is beneath their dignity or position, then they are following neither Christ nor the example of real Christians. Perhaps we should pray that God would place us in such circumstances where we can do and learn the value of humble service.

“Lord, help me to serve with humility in great ways. AMEN”