Seven days with Paul_GROWING TO KNOW

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 . . .

The non-Christian Jews stirred up trouble against Paul because of his message about Jesus, often trying to kill him (FOR EXAMPLE SEE ACTS 13:45; 14:2,19; 17:13). In his second letter to the church in Corinth he listed all the trials, pains, abuse and attacks he had suffered because he kept telling people about Jesus (2 CORINTHIANS 11:23-33). Paul also had an illness that seriously affected his eyes (GALATIANS 4:12-16). And he had an issue or illness that he asked God three times to get rid of (2 CORINTHIANS 12:7-8). “But he said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me” (V.9).