“As a result, people brought the sick into the streets and laid them on beds and mats so that Peter’s shadow might fall on some of them as he passed by.”
There is an episode of Friends that comes to mind when I read this verse today. If you are a Friends watcher then you will remember this one. It is the one where Chandler comes in with some big news and appears very excited. They guess and guess but cannot find out why he is so happy. The answer comes with one word, “Gandalf.” Immediately, Ross and Chandler go nuts and everyone else is left confused and wondering who this Gandalf person is. Without explaining the whole episode, we never get to meet Mike “Gandalf” Ganderson, but we do get to understand why Chandler and Ross were so excited. It was because Gandalf’s reputation preceded him.
In this chapter in Acts, we find Peter and the disciples preaching, meeting together, and performing many signs and wonders. Everyone respected them and thought very highly of them other than the elite religious leaders who became jealous. Many people would bring out their sick and lame and those who had impure spirits into the streets so that they would be healed by Peter’s shadow as he passed by. The Lord’s favor was on them and their reputations preceded them.
Gandalf was famous for a wild time even though we never got to see him in the show. What is preceding you? What are people doing to prepare for your arrival? Are they fine tuning their speech so they don’t offend you? Are they cleaning everything in sight so you don’t make a comment on how messy the place is? Are they rehearsing things not to say because that subject will set you off? Or are they hoping you will come by so they can get some of the light that Jesus has put in you? Do they look forward to you arriving because you walk in the fruit of the Spirit and display love to everyone? Does the room become brighter with your love and grace or are you heavy on the truth and shut everyone up? As a result of your presence are things better or worse? Our “as a result” should reflect the love of Christ to all people each and every day.
Let It Go 
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