Led by the Spirit: Journey Through the Book of Acts Part 2ਨਮੂਨਾ

Day 5: Living Missionally in Good and Bad Times

Think of a time when giving felt impossible. It was likely when you did not have enough, be it time, money, energy, or even the strength to care. You could be swamped with bills, buried under deadlines, or running on empty. If anybody asked for help, your first instinct might have been,“I can’t afford to give right now—not like this.”

The early believers in Acts 11 could have easily felt giving was impossible as well. After a great persecution broke out against the church in Jerusalem, many believers were dragged out of their homes and put in prison (Acts 8:3). Some probably had to leave their loved ones when they scattered. It was a mix of trials, persecution, scarcity and uncertainty they had to grapple with.

Yet, they did not let these stop them from living as witnesses of Christ. They remained missional in both good and bad times, carrying the Gospel wherever they went. They boldly shared the good news with a new group—the Greeks—expanding beyond their initial focus on the Jewish community (v20). When they heard there was going to be a severe famine across the entire Roman world, they responded with remarkable generosity, supporting their brothers and sisters in need (v29-30). What was even more impressive was that they acted in advance of the famine through faith in the prophecy, even though Antioch might face similar hardship.

The Antioch church demonstrated that it is possible to live fully for Christ beyond our own personal circumstances, trusting in a God who provides. It is not necessary to wait until we feel like we have gotten our life all sorted out before we can minister to others. Even when we have little to spare, we can be witnesses for Christ. We do so in faith, trusting that God can multiply the little we have to create a ripple effect that changes lives.

In every season, we may be faced with new and real limitations that could throw us off and potentially derail us from living missionally. It may be tempting for us to live in a self-preservation mode in such moments. However, we may very well be missing out on the finest opportunity for our faith to be stretch and developed. God may very well be waiting to surprise us with His wondrous work in our scarcity, if only we would act in faith, beyond our circumstances.

Reflect:

• Which are some real limitations you are facing now that may hinder you from living missionally? Ask God to speak to you about these areas and to assure you of His provision.
• Seek God in prayer and ask how He might be calling you to give or minister to others in this season, whether through your time, resources, or abilities.