As a church, we recently put on Focus Weekend. Junior high and high school students filled the room singing loudly, hands lifted, fully engaged in worship. All across the room, Bibles were open as students sat ready to take notes and lean into what God was teaching them through His Word. It didn’t matter what age you were in the room—from a junior higher to the leaders present—it was evident that God was moving.
When Paul arrived in Jerusalem, he met with James and the elders of the church and began sharing what had happened through his ministry. Luke tells us Paul “reported in detail what God had done among the Gentiles.” Notice how Paul tells the story. He doesn’t focus on his effort, his strategy, or his accomplishments. The emphasis is entirely on what God had done.
The leaders’ response shows the right perspective. Luke writes, “When they heard this, they praised God.” They didn’t congratulate Paul or analyze his ministry. They immediately turned their attention to the Lord because they understood that every changed life and every open heart was the work of God’s grace.
Moments like Focus Weekend remind us of the same truth. When we see people hungry for the Word and passionate in worship, it’s a reminder that something bigger is happening. God is at work in people’s hearts. And whenever we see that happening, the right response is the same one the early church had: praise Him.