Hold the Rope

- Pastor Marcus Marshall

“However, he found out about their scheme. They were keeping watch at the city gates around the clock so they could assassinate him. But his disciples took him by night and lowered him in a basket through an opening in the city wall.” Acts 9:24-25 (CEB)

Like many people, I am afraid of heights. I do everything I can to avoid them. But often, the only thing that will get me on something that takes me to the highest heights is the people I’m around. The most frustrating thing is being on a roller coaster, afraid that I will get stuck or fall out, and the people in front of me are having the time of their lives with their hands lifted.

I remember one day, I was at a youth camp on a zip line. They could tell I was afraid, and the camp employee told me, “When you jump, make sure you hold on to the rope. It won't be as bumpy.” When I jumped onto the zip line, I held onto that rope! I’m not sure it was less bumpy. I had nothing to compare it to, but it still scared the daylights out of me!

It doesn’t seem like Paul was scared of anything. He was beaten, stoned, shipwrecked, and went without food and water. He was mistreated and persecuted in a way that we haven’t experienced in our lives.

I love the story of Paul preaching Jesus in a city when he discovered that the Jews in the town were not happy and were ready to kill him. But the disciples of Jesus, called followers of The Way at that time, put him in a basket and lowered him over the wall to help him escape harm.

My favorite part of this story is what the disciples did. It seemed simple, unimpressive, and meaningless, but they saw the power in holding the rope. They didn’t know the impact of their simple action; its effect is only seen in hindsight. Imagine the changes you can make when you decide to do the small things God calls you to do.

Make a Difference:

What small activity can you participate in today that will make an eternal impact? We don’t know that without asking the Holy Spirit for help. Take a moment and ask Him to help you make an impact with a seemingly small activity. You may not see the effect right now, but in hindsight, you will see God’s hand moving in seemingly insignificant actions.

As You Read:

Remember that these stories are about real people. How would you feel if you were Paul? How would you respond if these things happened to you? Document them and write them down. Does your response differ from theirs?