Scripture of The Day
Now when they had escaped, they then found out that the island was called Malta. And the natives showed us unusual kindness; for they kindled a fire and made us all welcome, because of the rain that was falling and because of the cold. But when Paul had gathered a bundle of sticks and laid them on the fire, a viper came out because of the heat, and fastened on his hand. So when the natives saw the creature hanging from his hand, they said to one another, “No doubt this man is a murderer, whom, though he has escaped the sea, yet justice does not allow to live.” But he shook off the creature into the fire and suffered no harm. However, they were expecting that he would swell up or suddenly fall down dead. But after they had looked for a long time and saw no harm come to him, they changed their minds and said that he was a god. (Acts 28:1-6)
I love this story because there are so many lessons here. Paul had done nothing wrong. He was trapped on an island with native people and a bunch of prisoners. Yet he pitched in to help gather sticks for the fire. You know, how we respond at the moment has to do with how we come through the moment. Paul did not freak out when the snake was hanging from his hand. (I probably would have.) He just shook it off!
Here are three things we can learn from Paul;
1. Shake off the opinions of others. Paul was not moved when they said he was a murderer. I think Paul knew who he was in Christ and was not moved by the opinions of others.
2. Shake off the need to explain yourself. Paul did not go into some long dissertation of who he was and why he was there. He just went on about his business and in time the Holy Spirit became his advocate and when he did not die the opinion of others changed.
3. Shake off the temptation to be bitter. Be kind when being criticized. Bitterness is not worth it!
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