Unstoppable Love

Author: Sarah Shanahan

Acts 16:31 CSB—They said, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved—you and your household.

Paul and Silas are in prison, and then the Lord gives them an escape plan, a supernatural prison break, if you will. But this prison break leaves the jailer in a big pickle. See, Roman jailers were required to kill themselves if their prisoners escaped, so as the jailer prepared to take his own life, Paul stepped up. The Holy Spirit was leading him to share the message of Jesus with the jailer. Because Paul listened, the jailer was saved!

One moment that could have been catastrophic became life-changing.

Every time I read this part of scripture, I picture my mother. You see, part of my mom’s testimony came from one moment that changed everything when she was 18. She had been through so much pain during her adolescence that she was done with it all. But God met her there in that moment and revealed Himself to her—changing her life forever from that moment.

She could have ceased to exist, but now she is a mother and a grandmother who has continued to instill the love of God in us all, sticking firmly to the verse Joshua 24:15: “As for me and my family, we will worship the LORD.” She became a Christian that day and has dedicated her life and family to the Lord. But it hasn’t been easy. The most opposition she met was from her own family.

When I think back to my childhood, I still remember her on her knees at her bedside, crying out to God. She prayed over my father, who, later on in my adulthood, accepted Jesus. She prayed over her siblings and parents and, of course, my brother and me. She hoped and prayed we would all fall madly in love with Jesus and never waiver from Him. Sadly, there was a ton of opposition that I watched my mom face when it came to her faith with all of our family, and my brother and I were often on the receiving end of their resentment as well. But my mother didn’t let that stop her from pursuing Jesus, and because of that, this was just the beginning of our family’s faith story.

The Holy Spirit worked greatly in the life of the apostles. They taught and ministered with power and courage—however, they also met significant opposition and were imprisoned because of their teachings, but God brought glory from a dark situation.

The Holy Spirit intervened for the jailer and my mom. Both found salvation, and both called on the name of Jesus.

Paul and Silas were so enthusiastic about God’s salvation plan, especially since it wasn’t just for the Jewish people but for all, and it’s why we should be, too. We shouldn’t keep this message of salvation to ourselves. We need to share it with our neighbors, those we meet in our community, and even our children. We are setting the stage for them to be able to accept the love of God. Don’t stop praying for those around you; let the Holy Spirit guide your words and steps.

If we truly believe and repent, then one by one, in His time, we can see each of those we love saved by the love of God. Just like Paul and Silas, stay faithful, live rightly, and put all your trust in God!

Reflection

What is stopping you from sharing Jesus with others?

Write down three people you feel led to share Jesus with.