ILLUSIONS of CIRCUMSTANCE

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DAY 133: One of our favorite vacations when the kids were small was the road trip we took to Branson, Missouri. We did the outdoor things and the shopping areas but of course Branson is famous for the shows.  We saw some great ones, but our favorite was the Kirby Van Burch Magic Show.  Van Burch is an illusionist who enthralled the audience by making the impossible seem possible.  We were especially thrilled when our youngest son, only 6 at the time, was selected as a volunteer from the audience to assist on stage.  

Illusions: do you see a hag or a young woman?

I knew immediately that Van Burch might regret that choice.  Bailey has always had a knack for stealing the show.  In true form, he managed to have the audience in stitches as he began to check out the magic disappearing box in ways that the magician hadn't anticipated.  Bailey was one impromptu "check" away from spoiling the stunt - making a woman disappear into thin air.

In the end, the illusion worked and she was gone to the total delight of the audience.  The real magic though was at the end of the show when the magician transformed into a "friend" and shared the message of Jesus Christ, inviting any who would to see their sins vanish and a new life appear.  Kirby Van Birch winsomely shared the Gospel. I think it was so powerful because the messenger was so unexpected.  For two hours clad in leather and chains he had been wielding whips, driving motorcycle and mesmerizing tigers. But he put all that aside and focused on deliberately reaching out as if everything depended on us hearing that message.  

I couldn't help but think of Kirby when I read today's passage when as if by magic Paul and Silas were set free.  

If you read Act 16 you saw that they were arrested because Paul had released a demon possessed slave girl; she was freed her from her torment, but also of her ability to fortune-tell for her masters.  Angered, the poorer masters stirred up the crowd and had them arrested.  Before they were thrown in jail they were severely beaten.  Considered high-value prisoners, the jailer was given extra warning about guarding them securely. 

24 "So he took no chances but put them into the inner dungeon and clamped their feet in the stocks."

A bad situation to be sure, but Paul and Silas knew that their helpless earthly circumstances were only an illusion.  The reality was that no matter how much they suffered God was in control. So they behaved like men with a great and powerful God.

25 Around midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening.26 Suddenly, there was a massive earthquake, and the prison was shaken to its foundations. All the doors immediately flew open, and the chains of every prisoner fell off!27 The jailer woke up to see the prison doors wide open. He assumed the prisoners had escaped, so he drew his sword to kill himself.28 But Paul shouted to him, “Stop! Don’t kill yourself! We are all here!”

Can you imagine?  With the chance to save themselves, Paul and Silas stayed put.  They did not disappear but had something far more dramatic ahead.

29 The jailer called for lights and ran to the dungeon and fell down trembling before Paul and Silas.30 Then he brought them out and asked, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?”

31 They replied, “Believe in the Lord Jesus and you will be saved, along with everyone in your household.”32 And they shared the word of the Lord with him and with all who lived in his household.33 Even at that hour of the night, the jailer cared for them and washed their wounds. Then he and everyone in his household were immediately baptized.34 He brought them into his house and set a meal before them, and he and his entire household rejoiced because they all believed in God.

Like Kirby Van Burch, they turned the table on the captive audience.  How unexpected it was for the jailer to find compassion from the prisoners. So unexpected, that the jailer had to know more - he had to know how to find salvation.  That night a jailer became a brother and dressed their wounds and meet their needs as what appeared to be tragic circumstances was really just an illusion because God had a purpose to transform things all along. 

When I feel bound by my circumstances I will remember Paul and Kirby - I will remember how things are not always what they seem. By trusting that God is more powerful than my situation, I will be in a position to witness incredible transformations. I might just need to be patient while God prepares the stage, praising Him as I wait. 

Day 133 of 365

    2 Kings 8

    2 Kings 9:1-13

    Acts 16:16-40

    Psalm 143:1-12

    Proverbs 17:26