Acts 20:7 On the first day of the week we came together to break bread. Paul spoke to the people and, because he intended to leave the next day, kept on talking until midnight.

This story of Eutychus is very famous. We see it as amusing, because of the central element of going to sleep under a long-winded speaker, but at the time it was shocking, because Eutychus literally died. He did come back to life, but I wonder what lingering side-effects he might have had from his fall. It is clear that Paul took it all as no big deal, because he kept talking until dawn! The point was that there were people who were eager to hear all that Paul had to say, and he would be leaving the next day, so he wasn’t going to let anything stand in the way of communicating all that the Lord wanted to say through him. I’m reminded, actually, of the Upper Room Discourse between Jesus and His closest disciples, just before He was arrested. He too knew that the opportunity was limited, and He didn’t hold anything back. I’m sure that the disciples didn’t digest all that He said that night until after His resurrection. It is a clear work of the Holy Spirit that John was able to write it all down years later, precisely in line with what Jesus said during that very discourse: “But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.” (John 14:26) We aren’t to aim for long speeches, but we are to speak as the Lord directs, both in content and in time. We must recognize that the content isn’t our own, if it is of any real value, and so act as faithful stewards, and we are to pray that the Holy Spirit would apply what we speak, to the hearts and lives of those who hear, whether short or long, for their blessing and His glory.

This seems particularly appropriate for me at the moment, because this past Sunday I spoke roughly twice as long as I usually do. On top of that, I was giving a report of our trip, rather than expounding on Scripture, so I felt somewhat apologetic! That said, I did feel it was well received, and I pray that the Lord would use it all to bless and encourage all who heard, both in person and electronically. Because I interpret my own messages, alternating between Japanese and English, it takes twice as long as if I were using just one language, so the content isn’t doubled, just the time. I have had people say that the other language gives them time to digest what they’ve heard, but sometimes, I’m sure it just feels long! I do talk a lot, characteristic of someone with Teacher gifting, so I need to ask and allow the Holy Spirit to “call time” on me as appropriate. I don’t want to drown my hearers in words! At the same time, I certainly identify with Paul in this story, because when people are eager to hear, I can talk on forever!

Father, thank You for this reminder. Help me indeed be a faithful steward of the words You give me, applying them when, where, and how You intend, so that they may accomplish exactly what You intend, for Your glory. (Isaiah 55:10-11) Thank You. Hallelujah!