Insights

Acts 1:8
“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”

Over the next four weeks, our articles will focus on the above verse. Being witnesses in these four places or concentric circles that extend our reach further and further.

We begin with the Holy Spirit coming on us!  Do not skip this step. That’s how we receive power to witness, to love well, to encourage others around us about the Lord. We cannot do this effectively on our own. You might be a good person, but, trust me, you are not that good.  We need the power of the Holy Spirit to embolden and equip us.

We are to be His witnesses.  A witness tells others the truth about what they saw or experienced.  We begin by being witnesses in Jerusalem.  What is our Jerusalem?  It is our circle of people; our family, our friends, our small community.  We are witnesses to our family and community of the grace and love of our Father…except when we’re not, because sometimes we aren’t.  Exhaustion, pressure, sickness, finances, and just the cares of this world can choke out the power that we were made to walk in. That brings us back to the Holy Spirit.  DON’T FORGET ABOUT THE HOLY SPIRIT!  He empowers us to be witnesses to those around us of who Jesus is and what He has done for us. Don’t overcomplicate it.  Just lean in and listen to what He is empowering you to do.  Sometimes we get lofty goals of how we want to change the world with a dream of a big platform where hundreds or even thousands of people are affected by our witness.  But we have to first start with “Jerusalem.”                                

Mother Teresa said, “If you want to change the world, go home and love your family.”   I believe she is correct.  We have spring break next week.  Spend some time loving your people well. Talk about the Lord and what He has done for you this year and what you are looking forward to as the year comes to a close.  Be a witness of His faithfulness and peace to those in your inner circle.  A witness doesn’t create the story, they just tell what they have seen and experienced. What have you witnessed that the Lord has done for you?  Tell your family and friends about it!

“He said to him, “Go home to your friends and tell them how much the Lord has done for you, and how He has had mercy on you.” Mark 5:19

“The Lord has done great things for us, and we are filled with joy.” Psalm 126:3

Becky Ross
Brooks St. Principal
Logos Preparatory Academy