The great and mighty Apostle Paul was once the great and mighty persecutor of Christians and destroyer of the Church. He was so zealous that he actually went from house to house and dragged believers off to prison Acts 8:3. Paul then set off for Damascus to rid the land of these "misguided" Christian troublemakers. However, Jesus had other plans!
"As he neared Damascus on his journey, suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him."Acts 9:3
Jesus revealed Himself to Paul in such a magnificent manner that there was no doubt as to the truth of the Gospel; "I am Jesus whom you are persecuting" Acts 9:5. Paul encountered the living Christ on the road to Damascus and was literally blinded from the brilliant light - but his life was forever changed.
After three days, Jesus sent a man named Ananias to restore Paul's sight. When Ananias hesitated because of Paul's destructive reputation, Jesus made it clear that Paul was now God's servant. "The Lord said to Ananias, 'Go! This man is My chosen instrument to carry My name before the Gentiles and their kings and before the people of Israel" Acts 9:15.
Most of us will never encounter Jesus in such a dramatic fashion as Paul. One day, Jesus simply meets us on the road and forever changes the course of our life. And just as Paul was called to carry the name of Jesus, we also have been called to follow the living Christ and carry His name to everyone He places along our path.
God could have chosen the rocks and trees to advance the Gospel message, but He didn't. He could have written His plan of Salvation with a fiery finger in the clouds, but He didn't. God chose us! Even with all our many flaws, jagged past, and sometimes overwhelming insecurity and fear of failure, we are still His messengers to a dark and dying world; "We are therefore Christ's ambassadors, as though God were making His appeal through us" 2 Corinthians 5:20.
As we continue on this wonderful journey, with all its glorious peaks and fearfully jagged valleys, let's commit to drawing closer to God and listening more intently to His leading. Let's be faithful to advance His message of love through the forgiveness found only in Jesus. In this time of great spiritual need, with the world so desperate for truth, let's remember that we are now God's chosen instrument.
- steve troxel
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