by Sam
Nobles
But when Paul had gathered a bundle of sticks and laid them on the fire, a viper came out because of the heat, and fastened on his hand. So when the natives saw the creature hanging from his hand, they said to one another, "No doubt this man is a murderer, whom, though he has escaped the sea, yet justice does not allow to live." But he shook off the creature into the fire and suffered no harm. (Acts 28:3-5 NKJV)
But when Paul had gathered a bundle of sticks and laid them on the fire, a viper came out because of the heat, and fastened on his hand. So when the natives saw the creature hanging from his hand, they said to one another, "No doubt this man is a murderer, whom, though he has escaped the sea, yet justice does not allow to live." But he shook off the creature into the fire and suffered no harm. (Acts 28:3-5 NKJV)
The Apostle Paul used this
opportunity to share the True and Living God with an audience who was familiar
with this type of snake, a type of snake that doubtlessly had claimed the lives
of their family and friends. Why did such a bad thing happen to the Apostle
Paul? Why do such things happen to me and you? Perhaps the reason has little to
do with me and you; what we are doing or not doing. Maybe the reason such
things happen is for the locals – those who are watching to see if there are
any answers, any solutions, or any hope for them in their similar situations.
When it comes to helping people and being used by God there is one,
non-negotiable prerequisite: Compassion.
Compassion for People
The old
adage is true, “People don’t care how much you know until they know how much
you care.” The way we have compassion for others is not by giving them
information about their issues, but by absorbing the bite of the same snake
that bites others. The situations and tough times that we go through allow us
to truly be able to say to others, “I know what you’re going through.” The world is rarely impacted and drawn to Jesus
Christ through the sight of Christians prospering. No, it’s through seeing
believers suffering and not giving up that the barbarians change their minds.
Perhaps the most important ministry you’ll ever have is when people see how you
react to the pain they go through all of the time. Difficulty is the agent that
often allows people an opportunity to see the reality of Jesus Christ most
clearly.
Sure, things will go wrong
in this life, but whether they be little inconveniences or major heartbreaks,
trust in the Lord. Realize those problems are opportunities to learn compassion
for people and to gain confidence in God. No matter what your snake may be,
shake off the snake and see God use you in the lives of the people around you.
Scripture to Claim:
Blessed be the
God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all
comfort, who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort
those who are in any trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are
comforted by God. (2 Corinthians 1:3-4 NKJV)
