shaking off the vipers

Then they all were encouraged and ate some food themselves. (We were in all 276 persons in the ship.) And when they had eaten enough, they lightened the ship, throwing out the wheat into the sea. Acts 27:36-39

Well, I’ve been reading the Acts of the Apostles for over a month now.  And I am not entirely sure that I understand what Spirit-filled lives look anymore now than when I began.  They certainly are not flawless nor omniscient.  In fact, I am reminded of a favorite Phyllis McGinley quote: The wonderful thing about saints is that they were human. They lost their tempers, got hungry, scolded God, were egotistical or testy or impatient in their turns, made mistakes and regretted them. Still they went on doggedly blundering toward heaven.

But I do understand that these are true stories, methodically gathered by a precise and careful eyewitness who recorded in an orderly fashion what he heard and what he saw, even if it didn’t always seem logical or straightforward. Nothing was neat and tidy. 

And what he heard and what he saw was the Spirit moving powerfully among man, healing, speaking, and teaching them in the very hour what they ought to say.  And most of all, as promised, the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father sent in Jesus’ name, taught His followers; the Spirit of truth came, and as promised, guided His followers into the truth.  

It is a process of learning and growing, of stumbling and being picked up, brushing the dust away, and starting once again.  For we are but simple vessels of clay, and now we but see in a mirror, dimly,

But may I continue in the path set by Paul, as he waited trial in Rome, welcoming all who came to him, proclaiming the kingdom of God and teaching about the Lord Jesus Christ with all boldness.

So be it.