November 5 | Acts 3:11-26

Katie Borden
Nov 5
3 min read

DAILY READING

REFLECTION

Not The Same Person

By Katie Borden

Have you ever bumped into someone you knew in a previous season of life and thought, “they are not the same person!”? I had this experience recently at my nephew’s baseball game. I ran into a friend who had really settled into himself and together with his wife had built a life their family could be content with. He is not the same person I once knew, and I’m so happy for him.

We see this happening in our passage today, too. Just before we pick up in verse 11 of Acts 3, a lame man is healed by the power of the Holy Spirit working through Peter (it’s worth your time to read Acts 3:1-10). The people at the temple were obviously impacted to see this lame man walking–he was “not the same person”!

But do you know who else we see living and acting so differently? Do you know who else “isn’t the same person”?

Peter.

Peter was “not the same person” after having experienced the resurrection power of God in Jesus Christ, and he couldn’t stop talking about it! This guy went from denying ever knowing Jesus (Mark 14:66-72) to preaching Christ crucified & risen to those gathered there. When people notice him, he doesn’t hoard the accolades for himself–he points people to Jesus.

In comparison, I notice how often my own motivations are inspired by self-glorification or self-preservation. When I am afraid of criticism or failure in others’ eyes, it prevents me from taking the risk to reach out in vulnerable, self-giving love to others. When I seek accolades from others, I notice that I’m more concerned with how an action will be perceived rather than with the good it will actually do for my neighbor.

Ironically, I think those motivations often hold me back from doing the real, true good work of God. Thank God that he frees us–me and Peter, and maybe you, too–from those trappings. Thank God that he crucifies the selfish, fearful sinner in me and raises up one who is being freed from the power of sin. Thank God that I am assured a place of belonging in the family of God so I can focus on loving others instead of climbing over them to secure a spot for myself. The Holy Spirit empowers us to love and serve others, and sharing the gospel of Jesus for the good of our neighbor and to the glory of God–always pointing back to Jesus. This is the power of God at work in our lives.

Thank God that we are “not the same people” after an encounter with the living God–what a testimony that is to our Savior!

PRAYER

Holy Spirit, thank you for how you transform us. Thank you for how you bring fearful, selfish, dead hearts to life by the same power that raised Jesus from the dead. Continue to work within me and shape me into a person whose life is marked by love and service in the name of Jesus–not for my glory, but for the glory of God in Jesus Christ. Amen.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

KATIE BORDEN

I’m a lifelong member of UALC and have had the privilege of serving our community in both volunteer and staff roles over the years. I love learning, OSU football, good conversations, chocolate croissants, laughter, and sharing about the good news of Jesus in whatever capacity I can.