As we continue with Paul (remember a few weeks ago I wanted to discuss his prison stay thinking the key focus would end with praise, and it still might) I am reminded of how diverse our world is. So many people, places, thoughts. I read acts 16 again as this is the chapter where Paul and Silas found themselves beaten and cast into the inner prison. We want to get right to the part where they sang and the chains fell off, of course. But, if you back up and read the verses a little slower you'll see how God directed each step even though that didn't really seem to be the direction Paul "thought" he should be going. You'll see a variety of personalities (I wonder why Lydia is mentioned by name and the damsel is not?). You'll see how their course changed many times.
Most importantly, of course, you'll see them in prison. After being beaten. I can't imagine that. I have an uneasiness with confined spaces. Just thinking of being chained in a dark cell gives me the shivers. In my thoughts I wonder if we could go to that night in the prison and ask Paul "If you go back to yesterday, where do you think you'll be tomorrow night", I wonder what he would say? Chained in a prison was probably not on his bucket list.
And yet, many times we find ourselves there. In a place we don't want to be. Unpredictable. Unimaginable. Undeserving. Cold. Dark. Scared. Shaken. And I wonder two things. What would I do and what would those around me know about me from this experience?
Let's study Acts 16 this week with the thought that not all of our prisons have iron bars or walls of stone.
See ya tomorrow, don't be late, I hear there are treats .......
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