Listen

A vision of a man from Macedonia came to Paul during the night. He stood urging Paul, “Come over to Macedonia and help us!” Immediately after he saw the vision, we prepared to leave for the province of Macedonia, concluding that God had called us to proclaim the good news to them.

Acts 16:9-10

Think

One of my favorite movies is a western titled The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance. A dramatic point in the film is when a man not used to guns faces off against a bad guy and wins the duel. Later in the film he finds out that it was not his bullet that killed the thief, but a bullet fired from the rifle of a friend who hid in the shadows and did the job with his better gun prowess.

We are never quite alone. In our passage it seems that Paul has a vision and goes at it by himself… But notice the pronoun “we” in the text. Even in his visioning, Paul is not alone. Just as God reaches to us, and Jesus is available for us, we have the holy hands extending through ourselves. Today think about how you can be the “we” that someone needs, or allow someone to be the “we” for what you are going through. We are never alone.

Peter Ackerman

Pray

God, guide me today to see how I am tied to others in faith. I am not alone because you are with me, and I am not alone because others serve you as well. Help me to give you glory by my efforts today. Amen.

Go

You are never alone.

Remember this, and go out and find others; others who need the reminder of that Good News, and others who can bring God’s message to you.

Be who you are, and spread the Good News today.