Unsung Heroes: Commitment of Silas — Thursday
Galatians 6:9
So let’s not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up. (NLT)
If I’m being completely honest, there are people in my life that it feels like the best I can do in the “love them” arena is to tolerate them at all. (That sounds pretty bad, I know—hopefully I’m not the only one who struggles with this, right?) I’m highly particular and have high expectations, and for me, people whose personalities are more bent more toward apathy are people I struggle to connect with. Especially when I’m tired. But I’m working on it. Pray for me…
As I went through the story of Paul and Silas, I stumbled upon something really challenging, but also just really astounding. Here’s a timeline of the events in Acts 16:16-40.
A demon-possessed slave girl follows them for many days (v. 16-18)
Paul has enough and casts out the demon, but the slave girl’s masters get upset at their loss of income, so Paul and Silas are roughed up and dragged to prison (v. 18-19)
They’re mobbed, stripped, severely beaten, tried, and convicted (v. 20-23)
They’re imprisoned deep in the jail (v. 23-24)
At midnight, they’re praying and singing (v. 25)
An earthquake happens, causing the jail doors to fly open and the prisoners’ chains to fall off; the jailer becomes suicidal, but the prisoners stay put (v. 26-29)
Paul and Silas share about Christ with the jailer and his whole household (v. 29-32)
They baptize the jailer and his household (v. 33)
Paul and Silas eat with them (v. 34)
Paul and Silas receive pardon and reject it (v. 35-37)
They receive a formal apology from city officials, and then leave for Lydia’s house and encourage the believers there (v. 38-40)
Talk about exhaustion! When I first brushed up on verse 40, I was like, “Man, thank goodness they finally got some encouragement”—but no—THEY encouraged Lydia and the believers! Call me flabbergasted.
I think in Galatians 6:9, Paul is making a promise to us about the reward that will come when we don’t get tired of doing what is good. It’s amazing to me that he actually pulled that off and truly never gave up—because I’ve not yet gotten to the point where I can do that well all the time. I can say, though, when I am successful at it even in the face of exhaustion, nothing is quite as refreshing for my faith as when I persevere through adversity to do the right thing for someone who needs it.
Thursday’s Reflection
If you struggle like me to keep doing good in the face of fatigue, I hope Jesus’ words in Matthew 11:28 are as much of an encouragement to you as they are to me. When we push through and do the right thing, we find that what Jesus asks of us really is easy and light. I feel it, and you will, too.
