This morning, I am finishing up my 2nd day of reading in preparation for studying through Acts.  This study will continue with a read through where I will do about a third each day over three days, and then I will dive into the text in more of a chapter-by-chapter pattern, unless I find an idea that makes me want to break it into smaller pieces here and there.

Yesterday I noted that Acts outlines the spread of the early Christian church that took place without a Bible...meaning, churches and teaching about Jesus were flourishing and spreading throughout the entire world without any “Bible” to use as a teaching tool.  Think about that, what was ‘church’ like for them?  It is refreshing to think how raw and fresh our faith could be, how it was for them...it wasn’t about memorizing scripture and becoming a Bible scholar; it was about learning to invite the Holy Spirit into your life.

That being said, what really jumped out at me this morning goes back to something I thought about during the Daniel story, this idea that God really was setting the world up for Jesus’ ministry to come, even when we couldn’t see it.

I am going to be paying attention to all of the times where God uses chaos to create opportunity.  I will be looking for all of the times when chaos is actually the stage upon which God creates change, creates impact, and brings purpose to people’s lives.  It is a reminder to me that in the moments when I am struggling, when I feel like things are maybe spiraling a bit out of control, those are the very moments to cling to God the most, because those moments are often the birthplace of God’s greatest moments of impact.

Tomorrow, I will dive into Acts...today though, I found that to be a really encouraging reminder!