Acts 13:⁴⁷ For so the Lord has commanded us (the apostles), saying, ‘I have set you to be a light for the Gentiles, so that you may bring salvation to the ends of the earth.’ ” ⁴⁸ When the Gentiles heard this, they were glad and praised the word of the Lord; and as many as had been destined for eternal life became believers.

Two things collide in this passage with wonderful results: the word of the Lord and those who “had been destined for eternal life” (v.48). Without proclamation of the gospel the response was not possible. One begat the other. This morning I’m pondering what proclamation looks like in our day. In my day.

I’m presently in a hospital ICU waiting room outside of Austin, Texas. My brother Chris had a heart attack two nights ago. He’s been in a medically induced coma until this morning when they started bringing him out of it. We’ll see later today what his prognosis will be, if there will be lasting damage. Waiting has been awful. He’s one of the most fit people I know. No existing heart issues. No medications, none needed. Careful with diet and exercise. Then this. We are close to the same age.

There are others here in the waiting room, my family members and others. One can see the anxiety on the faces. A few minutes ago we heard a “code blue” warning go off. I was leaving my brother’s room to go back to waiting area when it went off. I walked by the room where they were working feverishly to resuscitate someone. I had to reassure my family it was not my brother. It doesn’t take much to stir anxious people.

So today I’m asking myself what proclamation looks like – in this waiting area. For now I think it means praying – not just for my own family but for the others waiting here. Lord be present among us today. Send your healing angels to minister to those holding on to life in this place. Amen.