lens

But Jews came from Antioch and Iconium, and having persuaded the crowds, they stoned Paul and dragged him out of the city, supposing that he was dead.  But when the disciples gathered about him, he rose up and entered the city, and on the next day he went on with Barnabas to Derbe. Acts 14: 19-20 ESV

I was reading these verses out of Acts the other day. I’m certain I’ve read them at least a dozen times before, probably more. I’ve always glossed over them though. Don’t get me wrong. It is a pretty impressive thing to read about how God delivered Paul from certain death, and he gets right back up and walks back into the city that just tried to kill him. An amazing story of tenacity, God’s grace and protection, and a drive in Paul’s heart that could only be explained as the Holy Spirit pushing and guiding Him. All of this in two verses. Super cool, but not what caught me, at least this time.

This time, God was highlighting the first part for me. Specifically, the part where it says they stoned Paul and dragged him out of the city. How crazy that would have been. To fully understand (which is likely impossible), we need to stop and put ourselves in Paul’s shoes. To look at these two simple verses through Paul’s lens.

Up to this point, Paul is already ruffling quite a few feathers with all his Jesus talk. He has needed to escape some nasty situations for his own safety. This time though? No escape. They have him. Tracked him down with the intent to kill and shut him up for good. They are not taking no for an answer.  This angry mob travels for miles, whips the crowd into a frenzy, and convinces them that this guy right here needs to die, and he needs to die now. With chaos and darkness winning the moment, someone leans over, picks up a rock, and throws it at Paul. The crowd joins in, and the rocks keep coming. It won’t be long now. Death is imminent.

Let’s try that lens on. Paul’s lens. What is running through his head? What is he feeling? It’s been about 14 years for him since the Lord met him on the road to Damascus and flipped his whole life around. Back then, he was the one throwing the rocks. He was the one chasing down Christians and getting them killed. A lot has changed since then. But he has to be thinking, “This is it. It’s been a good run. I did what I could. Lord, take me home.”

His brow dripping with sweat, his eyes dart all around, and then it happens. The first stone flies. He holds his breath. Contact. A sudden force hitting his body, shock exploding through his brain, and then the pain. Excruciating pain. No time to process anything else because here comes the next one. It drops him to the ground. Everything goes dark.

Of course, I have no idea the exact circumstances and details of Paul’s stoning. This is just a bit of creative license I am hoping you will allow me. The point is that Paul was as good as dead. Those final seconds before he was knocked unconscious must have been agonizing – physically and emotionally. He had devoted everything he had to what God had called him into, only to be murdered by people who didn’t agree with him.  The very people he was trying to save.

As we know, it wasn’t the end his run. Paul continued on for another couple of decades at least. He never stopped pushing, seeking, teaching, loving. God wasn’t finished with Paul and there was nothing that any man on earth could do to change that.

Let me tell you this, just in case you need to hear it. God’s not finished with you either. It may feel like stones are flying and you can’t handle whatever is going on in your life, but He is right there. He is shielding you from the worst of it, even if it you don’t see it. Let’s let Paul’s story be our guide and live life through his lens. Paul spoke in Jesus’ name regardless of the consequences, because he knew Jesus had his back. We simply aren’t strong enough on our own. This world will hit us until we are down and out and drag our bodies out of the city. It is in those moments that God can be seen even more clearly. His Kingdom breakthrough can become even more apparent. Don’t give up. Walk back in and follow His calling for you. The world doesn’t stand a chance. It’s already been decided. (Reference: Revelation). Let’s live like God’s already won, because He has.

Lord Jesus – May your strength be my strength. May I live each day out in a way that it doesn’t matter if the stones are flying, because you are stronger than the stones. Your will must prevail over anything in this world and there is nothing that can stop it. Nothing that can stop you. It’s scary and I don’t know what will happen, but you do. Let that be enough for me and simply follow you. – In Your Name I Pray– Amen.