This made me smile

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 It doesn't happen often, but sometimes I laugh out loud when i read the Bible.  Tonight was one of those times.  I was reading the story of Peter's miraculous escape from prison in Acts 12.  Now there are some terrible things that happen in this passage - specifically the deaths of the Apostle James as well as the guards who had been guarding Peter - and I don't want to make light of those so you may wonder what caused me to chuckle?  Rhoda.

 But first some context.  Peter had been arrested because Herod found that putting James to death gained him approval from the Jews.  It was the night before Peter's trial and an angel rescues him - his chains fall off, the door opens, the guards don't see him, and he is a free man.  He thinks it is all a dream at first but then realizes it is true.

12 When this had dawned on him, he went to the house of Mary the mother of John, also called Mark, where many people had gathered and were praying. 13 Peter knocked at the outer entrance, and a servant named Rhoda came to answer the door. 14 When she recognized Peter’s voice, she was so overjoyed she ran back without opening it and exclaimed, “Peter is at the door!”
Here is what made me laugh - Rhoda's so excited that Peter is at the door that she forgets to let him in!  It shows how surprise can throw us for a loop so that we don't do the expected.  But what I find very interesting about this whole story is the response of the praying church.
15 “You’re out of your mind,” they told her. When she kept insisting that it was so, they said, “It must be his angel.”
16 But Peter kept on knocking, and when they opened the door and saw him, they were astonished. 17 Peter motioned with his hand for them to be quiet and described how the Lord had brought him out of prison.
First, the people who had gathered at Mary's house to pray do not believe Peter is at the door.  Second, they are astonished when they see him.
On one hand I could feel disappointed with their response and question - where is their faith?  But that is not my response.  What I feel is hard to explain - it is a mix of relief and solidarity.  God's people are surprised when God answers their prayers!  The early church experienced so much suffering and they were faithful to pray yet they needed convincing when they received what they had been pleading with God for.  The relief I feel is that the church doesn't have to have perfect faith - we just have to have faith and ask God.  The solidarity I feel is because I too am amazed at times when the Lord answers certain prayers.
So tonight I just wanted to leave you with this encouragement: keep on praying and it is okay if you are surprised that God answered!
in Christ, Tracy

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