Meanwhile the church throughout Judea, Galilee, and Samaria had peace and was built up. Living in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit, it increased in numbers. ~ Luke 9:31
I always love it when a story says "meanwhile" in the middle of it. Reminds me of watching the old Batman series!
"Meanwhile, in Gotham City..."
So, all of this stuff has been happening to Saul/Paul, but MEANWHILE, Luke doesn't want us to forget about the other heroes in our tale. We will now move back to Peter for some vignettes to remind us that with all the Paul action, happening, life was still going on.
The church was still going on.
Growing even!
The Holy Spirit was still working.
Comforting even!
It's the way of the world. Drama happens. Big changes happen, and all around us life is still going on. Things don't stop.
In the church, this cycle of life is a constant. Despite huge changes - leadership, congregational, monetary - the work continues.
Life, love, mercy, grace...
Continues.
We are all part of God's story of creation. Part of the story of Faith. And we each have our own story of faith.
But we do well to remember that we are all part of a larger canvas. That whatever big things we see happening in our churches and communities, God's got something bigger yet.
Lord, help me to play my part in the big story of your creation and recognize the life that you are causing to blossom around me. Amen.
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