Christ Leads The Way

“Devout men buried Stephen and mourned deeply over him.” – Acts 8:2

For some of you, Mother’s Day was not so great because you lost a loved one or loved ones. It can be one of the most difficult times in life when you are grieving a parent, a grandparent, or both of them. For you who have experienced this, I am so very sorry for your loss. I wish that I had more than words to comfort you.

I hope that you will find rays of light in all the good and warm memories that you have of the wonderful loved ones who graced the world with theirs. Hopefully that will break through the most dark and trying days. Hugs and so much love to you.

In the beginning of Acts 8, we find out that Saul (who would later be called Paul) agreed to the death of Stephen (Acts 8:1). Remember, he was the one who held the coats of those who stoned him (Acts 7:58). Saul and others began to severely persecute Christians – breaking into their homes, dragging them out of their houses, and putting them in prison (Acts 8:1, 3).

So the Christians, all except the apostles began to scatter away from Jerusalem (Acts 8:4). It only makes sense that they left and stayed away to protect their lives and their families.

Yet, in the midst of their persecution, they took time to mourn the death of their beloved brother in Christ (Acts 8:2). The severe mistreatment they received caused them to scatter to Judea and Samaria (Acts 8:1); it’s where Jesus told them they would take the gospel after Jerusalem (Acts 1:8). And in their leaving Jerusalem, they went about spreading the message of Jesus Christ (Acts 8:4).

That’s a great lesson for us. The Lord already knew and had a plan for the church well before it started on Pentecost. And in the midst of their trials, persecution, and even grief, the Lord’s plan was being unfolded. They were experiencing the worst that could be thrown at them, but Christ’s message of hope, forgiveness, and love was being shared with a lot of people.

So, whatever you’re going through, especially if you are grieving, be comforted in knowing that God has a plan. It will unfold for you when he is ready. But He is well aware of what’s going on in your life – of your deep mourning and sorrow. God is always able to bless in the middle of pain, in the midst of hurt, and while you’re weathering through the storms of life.

God can bring good out of any situation.

Take comfort, my friends.

 “Praise the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and the God of all comfort. He comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any kind of affliction, through the comfort we ourselves receive from God.” – 2 Cor. 1:3-4

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