Do You Do Anything That Is Strange?

“Because of her joy, she did not open the gate, but ran in and announced that Peter was standing in front of the gate” (Acts. 12:5).

Now, that is a loaded question!  Show me someone that has never done anything strange and I will show you a person who has lived their life in a box.  But, then again, would that not be strange? 

When we chose to leave California and good jobs, and home and excellent chances for climbing the corporate ladder, to become an unemployed director of a non-existent boy’s home, most folks thought we were strange.  You’re going to do what? Was a common question.  Even some of our families thought we were a wee-bit unattached.

But, as I read the Word, I find that there are many examples of people who do very strange things, like talk to donkeys!  In the Scripture we find Peter had been set free from prison by an angel of the Lord and went to the house of Mary, where many of the followers of Jesus were praying for that precise thing to happen.

James had been executed and Herod was planning to add Peter to the ‘dearly departed’ the next morning.  One might think that he (Peter) would be on his knees pleading with God to intervene on his behalf but, strange as it may seem, he was sleeping.  He was not mentioned in the Hebrew’s Hall of Faith - but he certainly qualified for membership!

The church was praying for him and God was at work on the other side of the city dispatching an angel to set Peter free.   When Peter arrived at the gate of Mary’s house and rang the door- bell Rhonda came to answer and, in her excitement, left Peter standing at the gate and went to tell the others.  Now, that folks, is strange!

So, let’s look beyond the strangeness to the source of the power of this story.  Have you ever felt like your prayers were like bricks that fall to the ground as soon as they are uttered? If so, perhaps you need someone to agree with you in prayer.  Jesus did say, “If two or you agree about anything (According to God’s will)…it will be done for you by My Father in heaven” (Matt. 18:19). Ecclesiastes tells us a strand of three (you, your prayer partner and the Holy Spirit) cannot be broken.

Blessings,

Gramps