Tragedy Is Not Wasted On Us

Read: Acts 7:58, 8:1-8

“And there arose on that day a great persecution against the church in Jerusalem, and they were all scattered throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria…” (v. 1)

The catalyst for the C/church expanding and going out from Jerusalem was the intense persecution that began under Saul (the guy who will eventually become the Apostle Paul). The truth is that very rarely does comfort and stability promote change. Quite the opposite really. Blessing and comfort alone can actually bring about apathy and complacency without the pruning and tempering of the Lord. (cf. John 15) It was persecution that pushed Christianity “out of the nest” of Jerusalem and into the world. Powerful ministry and work was taking place there, but it was time for the Kingdom of God to expand out into the rest of the world. In this way, Saul’s persecution was actually bringing about exactly what Christ had called for… that his people “will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” (cf. Acts 1:8)

We will never choose for ourselves the necessary trials and difficulties that will shape us and move us closer to doing what God has for us to do. This is the blessing of trial and difficulty… this is the blessing of persecution. Tragedy is never wasted on the people of God. Discomfort may drive us out of the city, but it will also carry us into “JOY”. (v.8) Our loss of stability and comfort for a season will actually bring about hope and restoration for others and our eventual return to joy as well. Do you see this pattern? :

“…they were all scattered throughout the regions…those who were scattered went about preaching the word…unclean spirits, crying out with a loud voice, came out of many who had them, and many who were paralyzed or lame were healed. So there was much joy in that city.”(v.1,4,7-8)

Think of those set free from evil spirits and those healed. “There was much JOY in the city”. We are pushed out of our comfort zone by “persecution” and into participation in powerful ministry, the effective proclamation of the Gospel, and eventually into fullness / joy again! This painful “breaking apart” of the Church in Jerusalem was actually for the greater good and expansion of the body of Christ. The same holds true today.

As the people of God, we are not easily driven out of our comfort zone and into the new territory of gospel proclamation, Spirit directed miracles, and newfound joy and “peace that surpasses understanding.” (cf. Phil 4:7) Those opposed to the C/church in Jerusalem thought that the persecution was going to slow the church down… or hinder it… when in fact it helped the church to GROW. Growth truly happens when we are faced with tragedy, opposition, and persecution in a way that it never does when things are “easy” and “going well”. The beauty is that, in the midst of this persecution, there was still great JOY. We have joy and peace in the midst of sorrow and trial. These moments of trial always precedes seasons of growth and development. There is one other important thing to point out: persecution promoted movement. The people of God didn’t just hunker down in the same place… they moved… they spread out… they ventured into new territories… into the unknown. Joy was not found by staying put… but rather by venturing out as they were directed by the Lord.

What “Samaria’s” are you being reluctantly pushed into today? There is joy to be had in the new place you are being driven to. There is breakthrough in gospel sharing and Spirit empowered ministry waiting for you. These blessings don’t come when you stay put and wallow in your tragedy… in your difficulty… in your persecution. These powerful blessings are only experienced in the new places you are being “scattered” to. The people of God must learn to move outside of themselves… move outside of our “normal” circles. This is how the gospel goes out into the world. Persecution is the common tool that God uses to scatter us… and push us out of the nest. It is for our own good and the good of the Kingdom! If you find yourself hard pressed today - “persecuted” - then you need to “scatter”. Change something up today. Eat lunch with someone different. Get out of your house. Shop at a different store. Say hello to someone today… or meet someone for the first time. Introduce yourself to a new person you may pass by on a daily basis. Maybe you need to change where you eat your meal tonight… sit out on the porch with the family and enjoy nature. Maybe you simply need to change your posture today… kneel while you pray… or read your bible reading today in the park or in the break room instead of at home. What I know is that joy for many of God’s people was found for a season in Jerusalem, but what was once a place of joy and stability disrupted by persecution. This persecution drove both the gospel and the people of God out… and joy was found again. We must not draw into ourselves when we face “persecution” nor cling to the places that used to bring joy but don’t anymore… rather we must boldly

“scattered” to the new places and ministries God has in store for us. Love you guys. - JDP