Seven days with Paul_GATHERING STICKS

During a painful illness, Alan had to stop just about everything for a few months. But God taught him a lot during this time, drawing his attention to the story of Paul’s shipwreck on Malta in Acts 28 (during his trip to Rome as a prisoner). There is more to the story than Paul’s miraculous immunity to a poisonous snakebite (ACTS 28:3-6).

This apostle, preacher, miracle worker and writer of much of the New Testament was stuck on an island as a prisoner. Did he lie back and moan about his situation? Did he think he should be treated better because he was an apostle? No! The Bible tells us that he got involved with the work and helped the people he was with. It was cold and rainy, so Paul “gathered an armful of sticks” for a much-needed fire (V.3 NLT).

God never forgets about us; He never leaves us in places for no reason at all. Each of us is in a specific family, school, class, church and friendship group. There are people we are meant to meet, help out and share Jesus with. There is plenty of stuff for us to get involved with, even if it’s as simple and uninspiring as “gather[ing] an armful of sticks”. When we’re ready to do what we can, God will use us to make Jesus known!

Completing the picture . . .

Even imprisoned (ACTS 28:11-16), Paul made the most of his time, writing letters to churches he had visited: Ephesus (EPHESIANS 3:1), Philippi (PHILIPPIANS 1:9-14) and Colossae (COLOSSIANS 4:18). He also wrote a personal letter to a good friend (PHILEMON 1:1). It seems like Paul was released from his house arrest, only to be imprisoned in Rome again sometime later (which led to his execution). During his last imprisonment Paul wrote to his friend Timothy (who he also had mentored): “I am suffering even to the point of being chained like a criminal. But God’s word is not chained” (2 TIMOTHY 2:9).