Acts 16:16-34
One day, on our way to the place of prayer, a slave girl ran into us. She was a psychic and, with her fortunetelling, made a lot of money for the people who owned her. She started following Paul around, calling everyone’s attention to us by yelling out, “These men are working for the Most High God. They’re laying out the road of salvation for you!” She did this for a number of days until Paul, finally fed up with her, turned and commanded the spirit that possessed her, “Out! In the name of Jesus Christ, get out of her!” And it was gone, just like that. When her owners saw that their lucrative little business was suddenly bankrupt, they went after Paul and Silas, roughed them up and dragged them into the market square. Then the police arrested them and pulled them into a court with the accusation, “These men are disturbing the peace—dangerous Jewish agitators subverting our Roman law and order.” By this time the crowd had turned into a restless mob out for blood. The judges went along with the mob, had Paul and Silas’s clothes ripped off and ordered a public beating. After beating them black-and-blue, they threw them into jail, telling the jailkeeper to put them under heavy guard so there would be no chance of escape. He did just that—threw them into the maximum security cell in the jail and clamped leg irons on them. Along about midnight, Paul and Silas were at prayer and singing a robust hymn to God. The other prisoners couldn’t believe their ears. Then, without warning, a huge earthquake! The jailhouse tottered, every door flew open, all the prisoners were loose. Startled from sleep, the jailer saw all the doors swinging loose on their hinges. Assuming that all the prisoners had escaped, he pulled out his sword and was about to do himself in, figuring he was as good as dead anyway, when Paul stopped him: “Don’t do that! We’re all still here! Nobody’s run away!” The jailer got a torch and ran inside. Badly shaken, he collapsed in front of Paul and Silas. He led them out of the jail and asked, “Sirs, what do I have to do to be saved, to really live?” They said, “Put your entire trust in the Master Jesus. Then you’ll live as you were meant to live—and everyone in your house included!” They went on to spell out in detail the story of the Master—the entire family got in on this part. They never did get to bed that night. The jailer made them feel at home, dressed their wounds, and then—he couldn’t wait till morning!—was baptized, he and everyone in his family. There in his home, he had food set out for a festive meal. It was a night to remember: He and his entire family had put their trust in God; everyone in the house was in on the celebration. Acts 16:16-34 (MSG)
Today is Mission Sunday at Southwood. Acts 16: 16-34, is not what I’d call a typical bible text for Mission Sunday. But that is the beauty of the bible, right? What you read can be applied to what’s happening in your life. The same story hits very differently for different people, and even differently each time we read it. So even a story that might not seem fitting to Mission Sunday can be meaningful if read from a different perspective.
In today’s text, it seems reasonable for their fellow prisoners to be surprised that Paul & Silas would be singing after being beaten and thrown in jail. From their perspective, that isn’t a joyful time. They are not in the mood to praise God so how could anyone in the same circumstances sing robust hymns to God. But they didn’t know what Paul & Silas knew.
During my very first mission trip to Honduras, we visited an orphanage. It was not a happy place. The restrictions for how we were allowed to interact with the children seemed very harsh. We could play with them but not hold or carry them. I was nervous about it before I even entered the building. Walking in, it was very institutional and sanitized, not at all homey or welcoming. My heart broke walking into that building.
A little girl and I started to play with a ball. She was a beautiful girl, probably 4 or 5 years old. Like most kids that age, she quickly got tired of playing with the ball and we moved on to a game of clapping our hands to rhymes. When she got tired of that we sat on the floor and she began singing. She kept singing for a long time. Her singing was so beautiful and she was so sweet that it made me cry. I kept crying and felt so heartbroken that I had to leave this little girl in this awful place.
The children were called to lunch and my new little friend walked away, still singing. I am embarrassed to tell you that I couldn’t pull myself together to go with her. I went to the bus and couldn’t stop crying.
My husband, who is much wiser than me and has a natural gift for being with people in difficult places, stayed with the kids during lunch. My little friend was at his table and was still singing as they all ate. Her singing was cheerful and calming in a chaotic lunchroom.
Where I saw the sadness and heart break, Jason saw that she was a light in the darkness. She was put in that situation and she chose to sing. She was one of many people that have surprised me as light in the dark places.
Those guests of The Gathering Place who always greet the volunteers with smiles and gratitude even though they’ve had a really difficult day. The kids that peek over the backseat of a car as volunteers put food in the trunk and cheer when they see apples. The special needs girl at Uswaa who sits by us during worship. The woman who hugs me every year when I deliver Christmas gifts from Southwood for The Regional Center patients. The people who have become important friends in my life because we’ve served together in some way. They have all surprised me in the most wonderful ways.
Today is Mission Sunday. A time to celebrate and share the stories of how we’ve been serving together as a church. It is a good day to remember all the people who are light in the darkness and thank them for it. It is a good day to be reminded of the opportunity to join God in the work he’s doing in our church, in our community and in the world.
Questions for Reflection:
- Who has surprised you with their light in dark times?
- How can you be that light for someone else?
Prayer:
Lord, thank you for the ways you surprise us when we least expect it. Help me to always see the little girl singing instead of the sadness. Open my eyes and my heart so that I can see all the people you are working through. Help me be a light to others. Amen
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