Good morning, brothers and sisters.
Our verse for today comes from Acts 1:21, “Therefore, of these men who have accompanied us all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us.”
A Broadway play is nothing if not elaborate. Even when the show on stage is simple and downsized, so much goes on behind the scenes and during rehearsals to make possible all that the audience gets to enjoy. One critical piece of the puzzle is the role of the understudy. Given that the show must go on, understudies serve as the back-ups to the stars of the show, ready at a moment’s notice to step in and fill the spot made necessary by some injury or illness. Some perform minor roles in the play already, equipped to move seamlessly from a chorus line or a bit character to front and center, while others could be hired hands waiting before each performance to see if their name will be called. My relatable experience of this sort of arrangement comes not in the theater, but on the playing field. Sports teams have their starters and their subs, and many would say that although the quality of the starters is crucial to success, it is the level of talent that comprises the back-ups that can make the difference between a good team and a great team.
As Jesus led and trained His disciples from His baptism to the cross and beyond, He had His beloved twelve with Him. But when Judas fulfilled his destiny, a void was left in the group. And so, the remaining eleven looked no further than to the band of men who had been alongside them the past three years. Though this unknown group had remained inconspicuous until now, they were clearly a vital part of the work of Jesus. Now, from this unheralded and anonymous collection was to come one to step into the group of twelve. God saw this before time began, and He put in place the people He wanted for the time that He wanted them. This manner of dealings shouldn’t be difficult for us to relate to, for almost all of us toil in anonymity. And though we may never step out from it, we are not anonymous to our Father. And He wants you there by His side, regardless of whether anyone else ever calls your name.
As we seek Him today, don’t think that you are unimportant or forgotten. Resist the temptation to seek or desire affirmation from the fickle world around you.
Have an outstanding weekend.
#4 Rich Holt
Dad of Ripken, Koy, TrishaJean, Samantha, Kakie Holiday and Raleigh
Happy is the man who has his quiver full of them.
