The season of Easter continues, and so do the extraordinary struggles we are facing. On this coming Sunday (April 26th if your congregation is sticking with the “standard” lectionary schedule), we are continuing with another reading from the Book of Acts. It is the story of Peter, a Beautiful Gate, and a man who could not walk.

Stuck

The unnamed man in this story was born with a disability and could not walk. He was stuck wherever people placed him. At this time, when “work” meant physical labor, he could not support himself. He was stuck relying on the charity of others. The Bible doesn’t describe his mood, but I have to imagine that he spent at least some time stuck feeling sorry for himself.

Right now, most of us are stuck at home. Many are stuck in a feeling of helplessness, perhaps even anxiety and fear. Where are you feeling stuck, mentally, emotionally, physically, spiritually?

Unstuck

However, the man in our story did not stay “stuck.” Peter (and John) saw him as he begged outside the temple at a gate called Beautiful. Peter addressed him:

“I have no silver or gold, but what I have I give to you; in the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, stand up and walk.”

Acts 3:6

Just like that, the man was healed. He became unstuck, now able to walk, work, and be filled with joy.

Many of us may not believe that such obvious and clear miracles happen in modern times, or at least don’t happen often. This pandemic is not likely going to disappear off the face of the earth tomorrow, no matter how much we pray.

God does, however, still work in subtle ways, usually through other people. Our limited contact with others now does make that trickier, but we just need to get creative.

• How might you be stuck?
• How might you see the hand of God working behind the scenes to help get you unstuck?
• What can you do to be the hands, feet, and even voice of Christ to others?

May the freedom, peace, and joy of Christ fill your hearts and minds.

Gregory Rawn (Publisher)

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When you download the free Sharing God’s Story @ Home devotional insert, linked below, you will have a resource to guide daily devotional time. Using this resource and your own creativity, design devotions for yourself and your family or friends. I will be providing this resource for free on a weekly basis, so check back at this blog each week! I hope this will be helpful for you in the days ahead.

Daily Bible Readings online (Here you can subscribe to our daily Bible readings calendar so that you can see them on your electronic calendar.)