Discernment

  Having escaped from Damascus with his life, Saul heads to Jerusalem where he is not welcomed.  The disciples in Jerusalem are still afraid of the notorious man and doubt his conversion.  Poor Saul is not accepted until Barnabas comes from Damascus to vouch for him.  So then Saul begins to preach in Jerusalem, and before long the Jews there are trying to kill him just as the Jews in Damascus were.  So the other disciples send him home to Tarsus (Acts 9:23-30).
  The disciples in these early days had the wisdom to know when it was time to flee and when it was time to stand.  Although Stephen had stood his ground and been stoned, it was not time for the other disciples to do so.

  For reflection:  Do I have the discernment to know when it is time to speak and when to keep silent? When to stay and when to go?  When to stand my ground and when to leave the field and live to witness another day?
  Let us pray.  Lord Jesus, I place my life and my times in your hands.  Lead me where I should go and keep me from where I should not be.  Grant me the wisdom and discernment to hear your voice and to follow it.

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