ACTS 7: Sit with the truth
Come join this journey as we continue through the Bible and travel with Jesus’ followers through the Book of Acts. It’s an exciting adventure full of twists and turns. We’ll read a chapter a day and I’ll provide a link to the chapter in the NIV(UK) version, but you can read the chapter in whatever version you like. I’ll then share some short reflections, but the important part is the last part: ACTION. Let’s start acting on what we are reading. Join me in one small act inspired each day by the chapter for that day.
Are you up for the challenge?
Then let’s continue!
READ: Acts 7
REFLECTION: Are you sitting comfortably? Then I’ll begin…
Stephen’s account of God’s interaction with his people from the time of Abraham is a great summary of the journey so far. That’s the great thing about the Book of Acts: there are so many clear, engaging accounts of the back story leading up to the life and death of Jesus. Hopefully as we read them, it will give us more confidence and clarity and courage to explain the basis of our faith if we are ever asked to do so.
I love how there’s an over-arching narrative of God moving his people forward. I love how Stephen asserts that God does not live in houses made by human hands. God is all around us all of the time. I don’t have to go to a certain place at a certain time and say certain words and sing certain songs to meet with God. I can meet with God right here, right now.
Stephen does not appear to be afraid. He is about to meet God face to face.
The members of the Sanhedrin cannot bear to hear the truth of what he has to say. They’re so mad they gnash their teeth at him. They cover their ears and yell at the top of their voices to block out what he is saying. But they cannot destroy his spirit. Nothing can separate him from the love of God.
ACTION: SIT WITH THE TRUTH
Being invited to sit may not feel like a call to action, but if you’re anything like me, being still has to be a deliberate act otherwise it never happens and it actually takes a huge amount of effort.
So move away from your devices and the TV and the to do list and all the distractions and find a quiet place to simply be for ten minutes. Sit with yourself. Sit with the truth that nothing can separate you from the love of God. Sit with the God who is not confined to houses made by human hands.
