Invocation
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Word
“Now those who were scattered went about preaching the word.” Acts 8:4
Meditation
Today’s meditation is written by Allison Lewis.
When I think about the word “scattered,” my mind goes to the image of a disorderly home—laundry all over the couch, mail on the kitchen counter, shoes in the hallway—a place that needs to be tidied up and reorganized. In a roundabout way, “scattered” also reminds me of the word “shattered,” as in a shattered vase, completely broken into tiny slivers and fractures of glass.
The early Church experiences “scattering” and “shattering” of the world they know at the hands of Saul in Acts 8. As Saul gives orders for the executions and the imprisonment of Christians, the apostles and other believers experience persecution like never before. They are fearful for their lives, and the lives of their family and friends. They are forced to flee to safety. And they are literally sent to different parts of the world, but not of their own accord.
You see, God uses Saul’s persecution as a means of spreading the gospel to the ends of the earth. Acts 8 says, “Now those who were scattered went about preaching the word.”
Pause for a moment to re-read the verse above.
Did you catch it?
Jesus’ followers who were scattered, whose lives had been shattered, kept preaching the word.
Despite being uprooted from everything they knew, God’s people kept sharing the gospel. Why? Because they knew what was at stake and what was more important. They knew that there were so many others who didn’t know the saving message of Jesus Christ, or the purpose of his death and resurrection on the cross.
Later, we read that Philip spread the story of Jesus to the people who were living in Samaria (Acts 8:5-6) and that there was great joy throughout the city. If the disciples hadn’t been scattered or shattered, the people of Samaria would have never learned about Jesus.
The next time you feel like your world is shattering into a million pieces, think about what God is making room for you to do. Maybe he’s offering the chance to share his story with someone that you would not otherwise run into or get to know.
Embrace the scattering, whatever it may look like.
Prayer: Lord Jesus, thank you for sending us into a shattered, broken world. Give us courage to share your love with those around us. Amen.
Prayer for the Spirit in Those Around Me
- For the Spirit to work faith in the hearts of those far from God, especially for my family and friends who do not know God as I do. I name them now . . .
- For the fruits of the Spirit in me and those I know: that my roots grow down deeper that fruit may sprout up. For more love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.
- Fill us when spiritually empty, strengthen us when weak, compel us when doubts conspire against me.
- For more people to be baptized in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
Benediction
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope. Amen. (Rom. 15:13)