ACTS 2:22-28

Fellow Israelites, listen to this: Jesus of Nazareth was a man accredited by God to you by miracles, wonders and signs, which God did among you through him, as you yourselves know.This man was handed over to you by God’s deliberate plan and foreknowledge; and you, with the help of wicked men, put him to death by nailing him to the cross. But God raised him from the dead, freeing him from the agony of death, because it was impossible for death to keep its hold on him.  David said about him:“‘I saw the Lord always before me. Because he is at my right hand, I will not be shaken. Therefore my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices; my body also will rest in hope, because you will not abandon me to the realm of the dead, you will not let your holy one see decay. You have made known to me the paths of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence.’

TO PONDER:

Her name was Karen...she has heard about Jesus at a rally the local churches put on in her High School. For years she had battled with anorexia and when she heard about Jesus, his love, his compassion and what he had done for her on the cross, there was a hope sparked within her that led her to receive the grace of God in her life. Our paths crossed briefly through a mutual friend and the following week when I was working on a car with my dad, mum came out and told me "Karen" is on the phone for you. It didn't immediately register that it was this Karen that I had briefly met...we really didn't have much of a conversation...but when I realised who it was I asked her how she got my number. Her response, "I just picked up the phone and dialled knowing that I would get you. There was something different about you and I just knew I could to talk to you." Wow.

The end result was that we met up later that afternoon and went for a walk along the beach. Ever since becoming a Christian, she had felt different. A load had been lifted. But her parents and brother were not so supportive. In fact, they pretty much told her that she was stupid for latching on to something that was make believe. They mocked her about it. She broke down in tears...."but I know he's real. I feel different inside now." And then she asked a question I will never forget...., 'Is the Holy Spirit that warm feeling you get when you become a Christian?' As a lifelong Christian, baptised at 4 weeks of age, I didn't know any different...I've always had the Spirit living in me, working in me...but it was like God slapping me in the face and giving me a wake up call..."Can't you see that you are different...you are my child." Karen had seen it...even if I couldn't see it...she saw the sign of the Spirit of Christ at work in me, something I had failed to recognise. Something I had become oblivious too. I wonder whether it is the same for you. Have you become so comfortable and content in your Christian walk, that you forget you are different. That you are a sign of hope in the world for others? That you are a light to which those who feel the darkness are drawn to? The Spirit at work in you, is a powerful sign of the work of God, the wonder of God who has revealed himself to us in Jesus.

Fast forward four months...It was Easter Sunday morning. I was sitting in Church with my family and Karen walks in, accompanied by her parents and brother. At the end of the service, when I spoke with her family, her dad said, "We gave Karen a hard time about becoming a Christian, something I am really ashamed of now. But the truth is, we couldn't deny the change that we saw in her life and we had to come to find out for ourselves, who it was that made such a difference in her life."

Does God still do mighty works today? Does God perform wonders and signs in our midst? You bet. I saw one that Easter morning. And the life and hope he brings is unmistakeable to see. You too, are a living miracle. You too, are a living sign of hope. Stand tall and let the Holy Spirit in you work through you to bring life to others today.

PRAYER:

Lord, help me recognise today that I am different because of what you have done in my life. Fill me with joy in your presence and help me celebrate that difference and be a sign of hope for others around me today. Draw to me those you want me to encourage, to strengthen or to share the promise of your life with today. Amen.

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