Devotional - February, 21, 2024
Scripture: Galatians 1: 15-17 But when God, who set me apart from my mother’s womb and called me by his grace, was pleased to reveal his Son in me so that I might preach him among the Gentiles, my immediate response was not to consult any human being. I did not go up to Jerusalem to see those who were apostles before I was, but I went into Arabia. Later I returned to Damascus.
Paul definitely sees himself as a work of God. He is and so are you and I. We do not think of ourselves as being made for the glory of God, but we are just that (Gen 1:27, Isa 43:7, 1 Cor 10:31). We are created in God's image, justified through Christ (John 3:16), and are called to serve (Mt 5:16). Even though Paul's life went wrong before it went right. His training served him well as he sought to share the Gospel with people who knew nothing of the Jewish faith, as well as those who did. God can recycle all of our life for a better purpose. Through Christ, Paul makes his way in his new life as he grows and changes in his new faith. We think about thirty years passed after Paul's encounter with Christ on the road to Damascus, until he began his ministry. Remember, that is after his education and his initial service to the religious leaders in Jerusalem. Why are people in such a hurry? Paul needed those years to prepare himself personally and theologically for what was ahead. So many leave the faith and the ministry because of what they encounter (Mt 13: 1-22). Paul says he went to Arabia. He does not give any specific place in Arabia, but instead uses it to refer to a generalized area. Paul went away from the hotbeds of society and religious activity like Jerusalem or Damascus to be with God. He went away from those places to rethink his life and sort things out. Jesus was known for separating himself from his disciples to think and pray (Lk 5:16; 6:12-13). If Jesus did it, and Paul did it, why do some of us have trouble doing it? Lent is a time to go away from the "Jerusalems" and "Damascuses" of our life. Even if you cannot do it physically, make time for yourself mentally and spiritually (Mt 6:6). Lent is a perfect opportunity to spend some time away from the hustle and bustle. We can spend this time with God gaining a better perspective of our life. It does not have to be for days, it can be hours, or even minutes. The key is to totally detach from the situation and be with God. By doing so, we gain needed perspective to then step toward the issues and situations we face.
Pray with me..., Holy God, help us to stop and rest for a while. Be with us as we use this time to ...replenish, ...renew, ...learn. Hear our word of thanks for all You have given us and be with our loved ones, we pray. May Your blessing upon them. Guide us as a church, O God, that we may be the people you call us to be, in Jesus name, Amen.
God's peace,
Pastor Brian
