54 Now when they heard these things they were enraged, and they ground their teeth at him. 55 But he, full of the Holy Spirit, gazed into heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God. 56 And he said, “Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God.” 57 But they cried out with a loud voice and stopped their ears and rushed together at him. 58 Then they cast him out of the city and stoned him. And the witnesses laid down their garments at the feet of a young man named Saul. 59 And as they were stoning Stephen, he called out, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.” 60 And falling to his knees he cried out with a loud voice, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them.” And when he had said this, he fell asleep. Acts 7:54-60 (ESV)
Every time I read this story, I am sad. Here was Stephen, following God’s plan, trying to share Jesus with everyone and he was stoned. The people were so angry at his words, they took his life. Not to mention the hypocrisy of murdering someone, which was against God’s law.
But then, I have to realize that this event began the persecution of the early church. Because of that persecution, the Christians scattered. Prior to, they were gathered together at the same place. When they dispersed, they took with them their love of Jesus and that was shared with new people. The movement began.
Sometimes we look at the things that happen in our lives and we ask questions. Why is this happening? What is God doing? Why would he allow that?
Is it possible we are asking the wrong questions.
Maybe there are better questions to ask. What is God going to do with this? Where is he leading? Am I following or resisting? How can I glorify his name even in the midst of this? Am I excited to see what he will do?
We choose what questions we ask. We choose our response to different situations. Really, either we put ourselves at the center of it or we put God there. Who sits in the center of your questions today?