Community | Acts 29

Imagine you're sitting at home, bored, scrolling on your phone, wondering if your life matters. Now imagine grabbing a bunch of helium balloons, tying them to a lawn chair, and floating three miles into the sky with a peanut butter sandwich and a six-pack of beer. Sounds crazy, right? That's Larry Walters' story. He just got tired of sitting around. Sometimes, that's exactly how we feel spiritually—we want to do something significant, we want to matter, but we don't know where to start.

Enter Stephen. He wasn't an apostle. He didn't preach to thousands right away. He was just a guy who decided to serve. He helped the widows in his community, and he did it so well that people noticed. God used Stephen, an ordinary guy, in extraordinary ways. His small acts of service set off a chain reaction that changed the world.

Here are a few lessons we can learn from Stephen for our own lives: God uses ordinary people. You don't have to be famous, talented, or perfect. God can use your everyday life to make a difference. Say yes and trust God with the rest. Stephen didn't worry about the outcome. He just served, empowered by the Spirit. Start where you are. You don't need a big stage or a title. Ministry begins with meeting the needs right in front of you. Serve others like Jesus served you. Stephen forgave, prayed, and showed love even in danger. Following Jesus means living that way too. You never know whose life your story will touch. The smallest acts—helping, encouraging, sharing—can ripple out in ways you can't imagine.

So today, on Serving Sunday, take a moment to ask yourself: what's one small way I can serve this week? It could be your family, your neighbors, your co-workers, or someone you meet at church. God can take your ordinary actions and do something extraordinary with them.

Let's Reflect:

What small acts of service are you currently doing, and how could they have a bigger impact than you realize? Is there an area in your life where you feel too "ordinary" to be used by God? How does Stephen's story encourage you? How can you serve others this week in a way that reflects Jesus' love and patience?

Pray with me!

Jesus, thank You for showing us that ordinary people can do extraordinary things when we serve You. Help me to notice the needs around me, say yes to Your Spirit, and serve with love and humility. Take my small acts and use them to make a big difference for Your kingdom. Amen.