Acts chapter 28: Verses 4-6 (NIV)
When the islanders saw the snake hanging from his hand, they said to each other, “This man must be a murderer; for though he escaped from the sea, the goddess Justice has not allowed him to live.” But Paul shook the snake off into the fire and suffered no ill effects. The people expected him to swell up or suddenly fall dead; but after waiting a long time and seeing nothing unusual happen to him, they changed their minds and said he was a god.
When the people saw what had happened to Paul, they made an assumption about what would happen. When they didn’t see what they expected, they watched him for a long time, their first assumption was wrong, but so was their second. However, Paul was then able to preach the Gospel to them and healings followed.
Sometimes, when people know that we have committed to be followers of Jesus, they will watch to see how we react in difficult circumstances. They may make assumptions about how we should behave, and if they themselves have had no experience in following God, their assumptions may be wrong. Nonetheless, they may well be watching us closely and we always need to remember that we are ambassadors for Christ, even in the most trying of times, in fact some would say especially in those times, because that shows the reality of our faith. People won’t trust fair weather Christians!
Dear Lord,
How often Paul proved who You were through living out his faith. It wasn’t only what he said, but how he lived. I ask for grace to do the same. In Jesus’ precious name. Amen.