Pass It On

Around midnight, as Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to the Lord - and the other prisoners were listening - suddenly there was a great earthquake; the prison was shaken to its foundations, all the doors flew open - and the chains of every prisoner fell off. The jailer wakened to see the prison doors wide open, and assuming the prisoners had escaped, he drew his sword to kill himself.

But Paul yelled to him, "Don't do it! We are all here!"

Trembling with fear, the jailer called for lights and ran to the dungeon and fell down before Paul and Silas. He brought them out and begged them, "Sirs, what must I do to be saved?"

They replied, "Believe on the Lord Jesus and you will be saved, and your entire household."

Acts 16: 25-32 (TLB)

But I have witnesses, O Israel, says the Lord! You are my witnesses and my servants, chosen to know and to believe me and to understand that I alone am God. Isaiah 43:10 (TLB)

Robert K. Abel lives in Maryland. While he was reaching down to pick up a shell on Florida's Sanibel Island, a woman who was passing by asked if Robert was finding anything. He answered that he was, because he was searching only for broken shell pieces and small round shells. Robert explained that he makes Nativity scenes in his workshop and uses shells to form the figures. He showed her how an oblong shell piece and a small round shell together create the image of the baby Jesus. As the woman rejoined her husband a few steps away, Robert overheard her tell him about how two small shells can represent the baby Jesus.

Robert doesn't know whether that person on the beach was a Christian or if she will share her story with others. But he is glad he took the opportunity to talk with her. Too often, Robert feels that he is not well equipped for telling people about Christ. But that day God showed him how his talents prepared him for sharing his faith in a unique way. That beach encounter reminds Robert that we need to be ready and willing to witness to God's love and saving grace because the opportunity may arise at any time.

Prayer: Dear God, give us the confidence to express your love and presence to someone who may not know you or who needs to be reminded of your love for them, in Jesus' name. Amen.