Good morning…
I was there when my husband faced a dilemma. He, the Upper School Chaplain, wrote about the incident in this week’s devotional email sent to subscribers in The Lovett School community.
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Act 6 Devotional by Rev. Steve Allen
I was in a discussion recently with a group of friends. Things got pretty heated between some in the group. I sat quietly, listening, observing, not really wanting to dip my toe into the choppy waters of this conversation given the strong opinions represented. I was content to sit back and listen as things got even hotter and more intense. But then one of the people in our group turned to me and said “So, what do you think Reverend?” Ugh. I was stuck. It was a no-win situation. There were two very clear camps represented and I knew that anything I said was bound to offend at least one person in our group.
I imagine this is what Stephen felt like in the 6th chapter of Acts when he was confronted by a crowd of people who did not share his views. “Then some of those who belonged to the synagogue of the Freedmen… stood up and argued with Stephen… They stirred up the people as well as the elders and the scribes; they confronted him, seized him and brought him before the council.” What would he say? How would he respond?
In these divisive times, it’s a challenge to know how to speak particularly when you’re aware that some people in your midst do not share your views. It would be so much easier to remain silent and yet what do we do when we’re called out, when we can’t hide? What do we do when we’re dragged before the council, so to speak? What should we say? How should we say it?
What I learn from this encounter in Acts 6 is not what Stephen said so much as how he came across to those in his midst. Time and again it references his spirit and wisdom, his grace and power. It seems as if the Spirit of God gave Stephen the words he so desperately needed in that situation. In fact, the final words of this chapter actually tell us that “all who sat in the council looked intently at him (Stephen), and they saw that his face was like the face of an angel.” God seemed to transform not only Stephen but those in his presence as well.
In this world of polarity where choosing sides and planting our feet in competing camps of thought seems to be happening more and more, perhaps as much as anything our prayer might be that we would be filled with God’s Spirit and wisdom when facing people who do not share our views; that we might be filled with a grace and power such that our words will bring healing not division. May God bless us with a Spirit that might transform us and the people in our midst as we negotiate this complicated and contentious world in which we live. This passage gives me hope that such a thing can be achieved.
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Later I looked up this Scripture and here is what I discovered.
The Word of God prospered. The number of disciples in Jerusalem increased dramatically. Not least, a great many priests submitted themselves to the faith. Stephen, brimming with God’s grace and energy, was doing wonderful things among the people, unmistakable signs that God was among them…But then some men…went up against him trying to argue him down. But they were no match for his wisdom and spirit when he spoke.
…As all those who sat on the High Council looked at Stephen, they found they couldn’t take their eyes off him—his face was like the face of an angel! (Acts 6:7,8,15, MSG).
On our car ride home from this challenging conversation with friends, I felt grateful to God for planting my bare feet next to my husband’s, side by side, on this holy ground, for such a complicated and contentious time as this. Somehow I think how we speak matters more than where we stand in our divided world.
For if you remain silent at this time, liberation and rescue will arise…from another place…And who knows whether you have attained royalty for such a time as this [and for this very purpose]?” (Ester 4:14, AMP).
…Sue…
