June 3

Meanwhile those scattered by the persecution that began with Stephen traveled as far as Phoenicia, Cyprus, and Antioch, speaking the message only to Jews. — Acts 11:19 BSB

A pile of logs was burning at the edge of the woods. The wind, determined to extinguish the fire, blew fiercely against it. But instead of putting it out, the wind scattered the burning embers, spreading the fire throughout the forest.

In the same way, the early believers didn't initially plan to take the gospel beyond their region. Persecution was meant to snuff out the heavenly fire, but it only scattered the Christians into different parts of the world, sparking new churches everywhere.

Barnabas shines as an example here. If he had been narrow-minded, he could have stopped the spread of the gospel. But he was a good man, full of love and the Holy Spirit, and the work continued to flourish.