After many days had gone by, the Jews conspired to kill him, but Saul learned of their plan. Day and night they kept close watch on the city gates in order to kill him. But his followers took him by night and lowered him in a basket through an opening in the wall.
When [Saul] came to Jerusalem, he tried to join the disciples, but they were all afraid of him, not believing that he really was a disciple. But Barnabas took him and brought him to the apostles. He told them how Saul on his journey had seen the Lord and that the Lord had spoken to him, and how in Damascus he had preached fearlessly in the name of Jesus. So Saul stayed with them and moved about freely in Jerusalem, speaking boldly in the name of the Lord.
Character Check Whom have I encouraged lately?
In Business Terms When I was governor, every few weeks I would have the name George Smoka on my calendar. He would come for the Union Gospel Mission and say with his commanding voice, “I’ve just come to pray for you, Brother.” With that he would raise his one hand toward the heavens and place the other on my shoulder, and he would simply pray. Then he’d say, “Goodbye; have a good day. Brother.” He’d walk out and that was the extent of his call.
I always felt absolutely renewed and blessed by those calls. I think 90 percent of the people who called at my office were there for some request. But George Smoka never asked for a thing. That kind of humble support is invaluable for leaders.
Humility is unconscious. If you’re conscious of your humility, it isn’t true humility. Humility is a manner, a viewpoint, an all-encompassing thing.
But humility is expressed through actions, say, a nod of the head in acknowledgment of a verbal hello. It can be demonstrated simply by stopping and listening to someone. Its essence is putting others ahead of yourself. By God’s grace it can be demonstrated by anyone in any position.
—Mark O. Hatfield
Something to Think About The deepest principle in human nature is the craving to be appreciated. – William James
