Devotion - Monday, August 16

In the second chapter of Acts, Luke reports “and there were added that day about 3,000 souls.” 3,000? In one day? And it doesn’t end there. In the verses which follow, he goes on to note “and the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved.”

Our Evangelism Team begins their outreach efforts today. They will make cookies and take them to as many of the incoming students as they can locate. We have some 48 on our list. This is a wonderful group, but it is a lot less than 3,000. And, we have no way of knowing how many of those 48 will be at a place in their spiritual journey where the humble offerings of this ministry would prove helpful.

As I was praying over the Acts passage, I was reminded that the story is not about outcomes, it is about efforts. It is the same message preached yesterday afternoon at the Service of Ordination for Zach Parris. In that sermon, Pastor Eric Murray reminded the candidate that only one thing is needful – telling and retelling the story. “Tell the story, and let God do the rest.”

This is what happens in Acts. The disciples retell the story. And those who are hungering and thirsting hear the story and turn to the source of living water and life-giving food.

It is not about adding numbers; it is about faithfully telling the story. Those who hear the story are given the opportunity to find the places where the story takes root in their own lives.