Observation: Peter has been ministering in the area of Lydda and Joppa, and has just raised Dorcas from the dead in Joppa. He now stays with Simon the Tanner. Simon is mentioned twice, first as just a statement of fact as the home where Peter is staying, and then by the angel who appears to Cornelius when giving instructions as to where to find Peter. Simon himself never does anything, never says anything, and in fact is never described as doing anything at all.
Simon the Tanner was just a faithful believer in Jesus, whom - when Peter needed it - provided a place to stay. For this simple act of hospitality, and with no additional action ever credited to him, Simon is known by name to the "angel of God", and is also forever memorialized within the word of God for us to read about two thousand years later. His service to Jesus was so very simple ... all he did was give Peter lodging ... and his contribution to God's kingdom was honored in heaven and recorded for eternity.
Application: While I consider how this lesson - the importance of even the smallest acts of service to Jesus - applies specifically to something like the July 4th parade for us, I am thinking deeper about little things I could be doing. There are likely little things I could do every day that don't immediately appear to have any relevance to the kingdom of God, but that may in fact be of eternal impact ... at least to someone.
The little things may be a kind word, or a simple act of service, or a calming tone of voice, or a little act of assistance. Each of these could influence a heart to change a direction of a day for someone. If such action is done with the heart of Jesus, and with a vision to bringing God's love to others ... God could do so much with such an act.
If Simon the Tanner doesn't lodge Peter, does Peter leave Joppa, and then Cornelius can't find him, and then the connection between Peter's leadership and the salvation of gentiles is lost? Certainly the Lord would have found a way, but Simon was part of that plan, and he did so little. May I find a way to be part of the Lord's plan this day, even through small acts.
Prayer: Lord, this is my prayer, may I be part of your plan this day, even through small acts. Amen.
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