⁸ Stephen, a man full of God’s grace and power, performed amazing miracles and signs among the people. ⁹ But one day some men from the Synagogue of Freed Slaves, as it was called, started to debate with him. They were Jews from Cyrene, Alexandria, Cilicia, and the province of Asia. ¹⁰ None of them could stand against the wisdom and the Spirit with which Stephen spoke.

Acts 6:8-10

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⁵⁴ The Jewish leaders were infuriated by Stephen’s accusation, and they shook their fists at him in rage. ⁵⁵ But Stephen, full of the Holy Spirit, gazed steadily into heaven and saw the glory of God, and he saw Jesus standing in the place of honor at God’s right hand. ⁵⁶ And he told them, “Look, I see the heavens opened and the Son of Man standing in the place of honor at God’s right hand!”

⁵⁷ Then they put their hands over their ears and began shouting. They rushed at him ⁵⁸ and dragged him out of the city and began to stone him. His accusers took off their coats and laid them at the feet of a young man named Saul.

⁵⁹ As they stoned him, Stephen prayed, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.” ⁶⁰ He fell to his knees, shouting, “Lord, don’t charge them with this sin!” And with that, he died.

Acts 7:54-60

Dear God, I want to look at the men from Cyrene, Alexandria, Cilicia, and Asia this morning. They are basically the ones who started this event. I wonder what was in their hearts while they challenged Stephen. Were they proud? Were they angry? Were they afraid they were wrong and overcompensating? And how much am I like these men? My temptation is to put myself in the Stephen role and people with whom I disagree in the role of these men, but something tells me that if I do that then I am being even more like these men than I already am.

I was telling some family last night that my need to be “right” decreases every year. I have friends who don’t believe. I have family who are hostile towards you. I used to see it as my job to be the one smart enough to convince them. Now, as I go through life, I find that what you really need me to do is love them and then be available to speak truth to them in the opportune moments. But I don’t have to be right. They don’t have to be wrong. And if I am wrong about something…”If.” As if I’m not already wrong about a lot of things. When I am wrong about something, give me ears to hear and eyes to see.

Father, as I go out into the world today, let me be a vessel that carries you with me. As a pastor friend of mine would put it, spill out of my bucket and over into the lives of those I touch. Bring your kingdom and your will being done into this world through me and anyone else you choose. And I pray for friends and family a lot, but I seem to forget the angel component, and I believe the angels are here. I don’t know their roles. I don’t know how much my prayers impact their activities or the power they have, but I pray for the angels that touch my life and the lives of those I love. And I pray that my own heart will not be hardened but open to the truth you have for me.

I pray this in Jesus and with your Holy Spirit,

Amen