| “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the Lord. “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.” |
| —Isaiah 55:8-9 |
___________________
Interrupting the Acts of the Apostles!
Knocked
from his horse by an unseen Force.
Blinded,
hearing a thundering voice—
truth, like a spear in his side.
Stunned, Stumbling
waiting further instruction.
Anointed
and driven to the Arabian desert.
Three clarifying years.
PAUL
Commissioned.
Ready.
___________________
Have you ever been “knocked from your horse,” so to speak? Stunned in such a way that everything changed? Perhaps the sudden death of a companion, or the pink slip that you had no idea was coming? Certainly the Apostle Paul’s story of conversion demonstrates such an event.
He was traveling on behalf of the temple leaders in Jerusalem on his way to Damascus. He had been given the duty to imprison anyone he found belonging to the cult of “The Way”—the group that started over the influence of their crucified leader several years before. Paul was of the temple establishment that believed this new group meant nothing but trouble for those traditional Jews in Palestine. Known for his zeal, he enjoyed the respect and responsibilities given him by this auspicious group of Jewish spiritual leaders in Jerusalem.
Even the Book of Acts itself, telling the story of the work done by Jesus’ Apostles in establishing the new Church, is interrupted by this story. No one saw it coming! This sudden call, transformational, an obviously divine moment.
No doubt shocked above all others, Paul needed time to process all that happened to him that day, including a God-directed name change. After such a forceful occurrence, he needed to get away, to think, to pray, and to study. He spent three years on such an endeavor away from all distractions in the Arabian wilderness.
God alone knew what this world-interrupting event meant to His new work in the world. He gave this commissioning to the leader He had chosen to take the Gospel to the Gentile nations. Paul’s life-focus had to change. He could never go back to his old life and his old ways.
Perhaps you have had a “spear” thrust into your side that struck with such force that you knew God wanted your attention. The best response you could give was to say, “Lord, what do you have for me to do?” You were not alone:
Each of these events acted as a prelude to something new that God was doing. Whenever we face similar trials, we must examine how God may be using what we are experiencing to advance His Kingdom.
At the beginning of this new year, let’s watch for God’s work in this world. Let’s particularly be aware of events He will bring about through us. If those events seem to turn in a backwards directions, we should ask what God is doing. In this time in history, we should anxiously await His call to action—even and especially if that call comes in a new and startling moment. We must recognize that He has plans far above our selfish puny insights and timetables.
