God used Stephen’s martyrdom to speak to all believers. We are, in our own small way, a part of God’s mighty plans. For Stephen, his purpose was to witness for Christ, then die brutally for the Gospel’s expansion. For some, it could be giving a next-door neighbour the Bible. For others, it could be spending hours daily to pray for all manner of things related to the Kingdom of God.
One other lesson from Stephen’s moving death is that in case the path God calls us to involves surrendering our lives for Him, He will be there to bring peace at that moment.
In reflecting upon Stephen’s death, it is possible that the extraordinary vision God gave him was all he saw during the stoning. No doubt, he felt the impact of the rocks slamming against his flesh and bones, however, he must have been inundated by peace. We read similar accounts of how those burned at the stake sang hymns to God while dying and, to the amazement of witnesses, even had smiles on their faces!
God’s plans are beyond anything we can comprehend or imagine. One thing we know is that: they are wondrous, spectacular, and mighty! Let us strive to be willing participants in God’s mighty plans, just as Stephen!
