“The jailer called for lights, rushed in and fell trembling before Paul and Silas. He then brought them out and asked, ‘Sirs, what must I do to be saved?’” Acts 16:29-30.
The earthquake that struck the jail where Paul, Silas, and the other prisoners were had opened all the cell doors, releasing them from their shackles. Upon discovering this, the jailer, thinking that the prisoners had escaped, was about to kill himself. From the darkness of the cells, Paul yelled out to the jailer to not harm himself. Grateful for hearing Paul cry out, the jailer got a torch and hurried into where Paul was and, upon arriving, fell at his feet. The jailer was so affected by having been so close to death, that he was willing to do whatever was necessary to live his life for the God of Paul and Silas.
This was a very dramatic, life-changing moment in the life of this jailer. I don’t think I’ve had anything even close to being this dramatic, yet I know that I’ve had some life-changing moments. Some were troubling, such as my parents’ divorce, and some were magical, such as the moment I met my wife, as well as the birth of each of our children. One moment that stands out in my memory happened many years ago. It was late one December night when I was asking more questions about Jesus than my friend Skip cared to answer. He was tired and I persisted in my inquisition. Finally, Skip put the question to me: Was I ready to follow Jesus? I said “Yes” and my life has never been the same since.
Questions to consider: What life-changing moments have you had? What have those moments meant to you? How have they changed your life?
Prayer: Father, looking back on my life, I see how You have given me moments that were important markers in my life. I am so thankful to You for those moments. Help me to have eyes to see those markers as I continue to walk with You. Amen.
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