Galatians 1:13-17 (ESV)
For you have heard of my former life in Judaism, how I persecuted the church of God violently and tried to destroy it. And I was advancing in Judaism beyond many of my own age among my people, so extremely zealous was I for the traditions of my fathers. But when he who had set me apart before I was born, and who called me by his grace, was pleased to reveal his Son to me, in order that I might preach him among the Gentiles, I did not immediately consult with anyone; nor did I go up to Jerusalem to those who were apostles before me, but I went away into Arabia, and returned again to Damascus.
Today it struck me how Paul’s life and his recounting of what the Lord had done in him, is so much like what the Lord has done in my own life. Don’t get me wrong, I am not comparing my life to the amazing life of the apostle Paul, who saw Jesus, in the flesh, on the road to Damascus. What I am saying, is that the pattern of being set apart, being called on by the Lord to salvation, and then God‘s work on our life is very similar to what the Lord did in the pattern of Paul’s life (Romans 8:29-30).
As I sit here, looking at all of my life in a single picture and thinking about where the Lord has brought me to at this point in time, I can’t help but see how the Lord has worked in my life just as he did in Paul’s. The place that I am in my heart, how I see the Lord, my love for him, and my desire to only serve and please him, has only come through his teaching to me by directly reading his word and applying it to my life… Just like I am doing here today. The Lord has had to get a hold of my life in such a way that I can then be used by him. If you look at the passage above and see how the Lord worked in Paul’s life, it is similar.
So,, to reiterate, I am not comparing myself to Paul… I am only acknowledging that God has set me apart before time (as He says in his word – Psalms 139:16, Jeremiah 1:5, Ephesians 1:4-5, and Romans 9:10-13), He has saved me from death I deserved because of my sin, He has grown me in the knowledge of His word, His son, and Himself, so that I can have my heart, mind, soul, and strength centered on the wisdom and direction of the Holy Spirit to be able to serve him.
APPLICATION
I have come such a small way relative to where I think I should be. I am constantly looking at what else the Lord may teach me while I am in “Arabia“ (Where Paul was for 3 years before starting his ministry in Jerusalem). All this way someone might say I have come…has only shown me how much I need Him. This earthly body and mind is no match for the yuck of the world and the evil one who has run of it; thank the Lord that He not only secured victory on the cross and resurrection, but He has given me the gift of His Holy Spirit and His word (through scripture) to help me navigate this small time that I sojourn as an alien in this land.
Just another quick comment on this Quiet Time write up today – Notice how Paul did not meet up to learn from Peter (Cephas) until after the 3 years he spent alone with God in Arabia? I believe it is so important for new Christians to immerse themselves in God’s word rather than “Chicken Soup for the Soul” or Commentaries on passages of the bible…just go read directly for yourself and listen to what God reveals to you through His Holy Spirit about your life, how you are living it, and ways you can live for Him. Then, seek some good discipleship…someone who shares what the Lord has taught them and points you to the places in scripture that have answers to your life questions.
Your faithfulness and your kindness have been instrumental in my walk with the Lord so I praise God for you! Thank you brother!