When You Feel out of Place
The book of Acts packs punches the way a lightning storm blankets a beach: at first in slow strokes, then in cannon fire flares across the sky. My favorite theme is God’s timing and purpose for each of the early Church makers. Specifically, I’m astounded at the way God can use our feeling of “lost” to make others found.
Stephen the Saab
Have you ever noticed when you buy a new car that you suddenly see dozens of your car, daily? You never noticed how common the thing was until your were primed to recognize it. Acts 6 positions Stephen as the prized Saab among the seven servants. “Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit...,” “full of grace and power.” Of the seven, we are trained to focus on Stephen. That additional comma says, “Pay attention to this guy. He’s special.”
Stephen was one of the few who said, “I will stay behind and serve, locally. I’ll take care of this corner of the universe.” While doing so, he preached. He performed “great wonders and signs among the people” (v. 8). Though the skeptics tried, verse 10 tells us they “Could not withstand the wisdom and Spirit with which he was speaking.” When Stephen was tried, the council saw that his face was like an angel. The glory of God was literally written on Stephen’s face.
So, why did he never resent his tiny corner of the universe? How easy would it have been for Stephen to say, “I’m called, and I’m chosen. I preach with wisdom and lead with influence. Why am I stuck in Jerusalem while the Apostles are preparing for Antioch? Am I not worthy of such a charge?”
The power of Stephen wasn’t held back by his placement with the seven. The power of his placement fulfilled his purpose. Mighty Stephen was the first of the martyrs. As one of my pastors said to me, “Stephen’s first sermon was at his funeral!” And perhaps, the most amazing thing of all is this: God used Stephen to bring about Paul.
A Certain Saul of the Sanhedrin
How does a Tarsus artisan, son of a pious man and Roman, dropped in the middle of the Sanhedrin in the city of Jerusalem, this Pharisee who could not see til nine, grow up to be a Stoic philosopher?
(If you haven’t seen Hamilton, just reread that and add it to your List. Thank me, later.)
How did one of the most zealous persecutors of Christians become the most well known missionary of the first century and beyond? How did the man who administered the death of Stephen come to be one of the most read authors of all time, contributing 13 of the 27 books of the New Testament? Paul is living proof that no man is so far from God he cannot be saved.
It would be easy for us, as readers, to ask of Saul, “Where were you?When Jesus’ every promise was fulfilled before your eyes, you put Stephen in the pit. When the Heavens opened for him, you entered homes to slaughter believers.” Paul himself knew his conversation was unconventional. “Last of all, as though I had been born at the wrong time, I also saw him” 1 Cor. 15:8).
The reality is, Saul wasn’t falling behind or running late, he was lying in wait-- the kind of “wait” that only God can use. For every oppression of the apostles, there was one in the shadows, observing. When the court officials spoke against the apostles in Acts 4, Saul was there. And when the opponents of Stephen induced men to speak against him, who was there to witness it but Saul of Tarsus? God used Saul’s position in the Sanhedrin to write the script of history.
Before Stephen died, the witnesses laid their clothes at the feet of Saul. Stephen prayed, “Lord, do not charge them with this sin.” The conversion of Saul is evidence of the answered prayer of Stephen. If Stephen had left with the twelve instead of serving with the seven, there would be no stoning. If there had been no martyr to pray over Saul, the Church would not have had Paul.
The next time you feel like Stephen, out of place, or like Paul, out of time, remember God has you exactly where He needs you.
