But Stephen, full of the Holy Spirit, hardly noticed—he only had eyes for God, whom he saw in all his glory with Jesus standing at his side. He said, “Oh! I see heaven wide open and the Son of Man standing at God’s side!”
As the rocks rained down, Stephen prayed, “Master Jesus, take my life.” Then he knelt down, praying loud enough for everyone to hear, “Master, don’t blame them for this sin”—his last words. Then he died.
Acts 7:55;59-60
If faith is my eyesight,if I am trusting in the Unseen alone, I can say, as Stephen did, “I only have eyes for God.” Stephen’s circumstances, when he exclaimed this, were anything but pleasant. And yet, with the heavy artillery of rocks cascading down on him, he “was full of the Holy Spirit, so he hardly noticed.”
His eyes were off his surroundings. His life didn’t consist of “how-does-this-affect-me”. He only had eyes for God. He didn’t add a little God to his life when he wanted to, when it was convenient, or when he needed help.
His life was God!
And God opened up the heavens, to run to Stephen’s aid at just the right moment, so he could “see God in all his glory with Jesus standing by His side!” Stephen got a “2-for-1 deal!” Extraordinary experience for an ordinary guy with his eyes on God.
In his death, Stephen acted just like Jesus! Full of love. Full of mercy.
Full of grace. Of course, he did!
If I have my eyes fixed on the Author and Perfecter of my faith, His words will overflow in and through me too!
On my best and worst days. Full of His mercy, His love and His grace.
