City Life Starter

Written by Aisha Darwesh

The Word

“And Stephen, full of grace and power, was doing great wonders and signs among the people.” –Acts 6:8 ESV

Aisha’s Analysis

As we learned from last week’s passage in Acts, Stephen was one of the seven men who was full of the Spirit and of wisdom and appointed to oversee the daily distribution of food. The delegation of this duty resulted in clearer focus for the twelve Apostles to preach the word of God and devote themselves to prayer, and this led to a great multiplication of disciples in Jerusalem. 

From there, today’s scripture illuminates that Stephen, full of grace and power, was doing great wonders and signs among the people. What a beautiful picture of how someone full of the Spirit still humbled himself to meet the practical needs like serving tables–a monotonous daily duty. 

The miracles that flowed through Stephen’s ministry show us that God backed what he was doing and that he was not striving to perform these miracles. Stephen was just daily showing up in doing what God was calling him to do in a way that reflected God’s nature and character. 

As we’ll see in later verses, serving God and the needs of others does not necessarily mean you’ll have an easy life. As wonderful a person as Stephen was, he faced opposition from the surrounding synagogues. Yet Stephen was faithful to testify the truth in love right until the very end. This shows us that being full of grace and power not only empowered Stephen to do miracles through faithfully serving others, but also allowed him to stay anchored in the truth when faced with opposition and oppression. 

Application

Stephen is a shining example of not allowing the shortcomings of others to dictate his own behavior. He was faithful in meeting the practical needs of widows and later performed miracles. 

Where is God currently calling you to be faithful in what seems to be a thankless role? How can your approach to that role and your partnership with the Holy Spirit soften your heart and help you express God’s love as you daily show up?

It’s perfectly natural to get depleted in doing the needful on a daily basis. But thankfully, we have the supernatural presence of the Holy Spirit dwelling inside us as believers. Remember God’s presence within you as you practice what He’s calling you to do, no matter how seemingly unglamorous or ordinary.  It might lead to miracles whether outwardly or inside your own heart. 

Prayer

Father God, thank You for helping me in my day-to-day routine of showing up where I am needed. As I help to meet the practical needs of others, I pray Your miracles will flow out of me. In Jesus’ name, amen.