Episode 233: Look up!
from Alix Pridgen
Stephen stands before the powers of his world with nothing but his faith, his voice, and a vision of Christ. In this episode, we reflect on Acts 7 and John 14 through the lens of “lifting our eyes” in a fearful and angry world. Drawing on stories of courage, endurance, and grace from the Black experience in the Jim Crow South, this sermon explores how what we focus on has the power to shape us—and how keeping our eyes on Christ can free us from fear, despair, and hatred. As confirmation students affirm their faith, we pray for “Stephen’s eyes”: eyes able to recognize Jesus standing beside us in every season of life.
Embed this episode
What this episode covers
In this episode, we enter the dramatic story of Stephen standing before the Sanhedrin in Acts 7—a young man with no power, no protection, and yet a vision strong enough to face violence without surrendering to fear. Drawing on both Scripture and stories from the Black experience in the Jim Crow South, this sermon reflects on what it means to “lift our eyes” in a world constantly demanding our attention, outrage, and anxiety. Stephen’s final witness becomes an invitation for all of us: not to deny suffering or pretend the world is safe, but to keep looking for Christ standing beside us—in moments of courage, mercy, companionship, and grace. As confirmation students prepare to affirm their faith, we pray for “Stephen’s eyes”: eyes able to recognize the presence of Jesus in ordinary life, and hearts strengthened to keep witnessing to love, hope, and mercy no matter what comes.
No transcript yet.