I can’t help but to recognize myself in the manner in which the people of Lystra responded to the words and miracles of Paul and Barnabas. Wildly impressed by what they’d seen and heard, non-Jewish people in attendance jumped to the conclusion that Paul and Barnabas were Greek gods. They immediately tried to contextualize the message and miracles of God within their own understanding, to affirm their own perspective. How often do I do the very same thing?

God has performed great miracles in my life, but, at times, I’ve still been guilty of crediting the vehicles of God used with glory that should have been given fully given to God, Himself. This may or may not be evident to others, but, in terms of the time, energy, and attention that I’ve devoted to such tools that God has chosen to employ for His purpose, I can now recognize my own misdeeds.

Lord, focus my eyes on you and steady my gaze on Your face so that I might not be distracted by my flesh-inclined tendencies.

‘“Friends, why are you doing this? We too are only human, like you. We are bringing you good news, telling you to turn from these worthless things to the living God, who made the heavens and the earth and the sea and everything in them. ‘