The Way of Stephen

Day 159: Acts 6:1-15

“But they could not withstand the wisdom and the Spirit with which he was speaking.” - Acts 6:10 ESV

Rarely do we hear of someone who is so young and this eager. Usually, the expectation is that God will place us exactly where we want to be right away, and when this doesn't happen, disappointment sets in. This can also go the other way, where we see ourselves trapped in a role, doomed to cycle through its grasp to what we see as the end of our days.

Stephen's story is one that should encourage all of us, no matter what role we find ourselves in today.  He was one of the Hellenistic Jews chosen to make sure their widows were getting what they needed as they distributed food. So how does a guy go from being a food referee to verbally body slamming the greatest thinkers of his time and place?

There were two differentiating factors at play, and both are relevant in any position or role in which you might find yourself:

1) Wisdom

2) Speaking by the Spirit

Both are not characteristics we acquire through hard work. They are, as we spoke of yesterday, gifts. Are you sensing a theme in Christianity? We are worshiping a gift-giving God. He gives us what we need and when we need it to accomplish all He's asked us to do.

"Jesus had promised the help of the Spirit (Luke 12:12) and wisdom (Luke 21:15) to his disciples when they were called upon to defend themselves. The early church proved the truth of this promise." - Marshall, I. H. (1980). Acts: An Introduction and Commentary (Vol. 5, p. 138)

We are still proving the truth of this promise today as we step out in faith to share the Good News about Jesus. Take your small step today. Go the way of Stephen in your faithfulness to Jesus.