In today's first reading, Acts 16: 22-34, Paul and Silas are attacked, beaten with rods and thrown into prison. It would seem as though all is lost, that there is no escape, as their feet are chained to the floor in one of the most secure cells of the prison. In the middle of the night, a sudden earthquake opens all of the prison doors. They are free to escape but do not. The prison guard panics and is about to kill himself when Paul and Silas intervene. What follows is the conversion of the guard and his entire family.
The guard panics. Paul and Silas remain calm; their relationship to the Lord is unshakable. You and I have at times remained calm in the midst of a crisis while others have panicked and vice versa. Panic blocks our awareness of God's presence and His power. It is important to realize that if I seek God on a daily basis, I am more likely to seek God in crisis situations. When I am having a difficult time, my first thought is to call upon my best friend. So, too, if I have chosen Jesus as my closest friend and developed an intimate relationship with Him. I will automatically think of Jesus and call upon Him in both the good and bad times of life.
When, in a crisis, the Rock to which I cling is Christ Jesus, I will be as strong as that Rock. I will not be shaken even if every one around me has entered the crisis mode. To whom do you cling?
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