Liberation is the angel theme for today. I have recently volunteered to be a pen pal for a prison ministry, in hopes of brightening someone's day. Butterflies are beautiful symbols of freedom. This morning while washing the breakfast dishes, I happened to glance down. To my delight, a tiny butterfly sticker was on my sweater sleeve! It must have "winged" its way there yesterday while I was addressing envelopes. It's fun to decorate mail with colorful touches of nature's beauty.
With freedom in mind today, the angels guided me to a powerful Bible account regarding the early belief in angels.
In Acts 12, Apostle Peter is imprisoned by Herod. He awakes in what at first seems like a vision. A light shines in his cell and an angel of the Lord appears. Peter's chains fall from his hands, and obediently he follows the angel out into the night. Freedom!
His Liberator leads him through the city and departs when his charge is safe. Peter comes to himself and understands the Lord has freed him. He hurries to Mother Mary's house where a group has been holding a prayer vigil for his release.
In the dark, Peter stands at the door to the gate and knocks.
Rhoda, a damsel, hearing his voice, runs to answer the door. But in her elation, she leaves Peter standing outside and hurries to tell the prayer group inside the good news. Peter is free! He's at the gate!
But rather than listen to her, they say, "Thou art mad." But Rhoda continues to declare the truth. Peter is there!
Then they say, "It is his angel." (Acts: 12:15)
"It is his angel." Imagine! what a strong belief the early Christians had regarding angels, that someone could be mistaken for their angel.
Peter continues to knock and then they open the door, astonished! He tells how the Lord has delivered him from prison!
Celebrate your day with your Angel, and rejoice that you are free in Christ.
Love and joyful blessings,
Rae Karen
(Art: The Liberation of St Peter by an Angel
Sebastiano Ricci, 1722)
