What Can We Learn from a Spiritual Giant Like Paul? (Well....Lots and Lots!)

Well, it’s been another long stretch since I wrote here in the Pink Room, and I don’t really feel like I have the time today either, but I’m just going to do it anyway. There are so many thoughts floating around in my head today. I’ll try not to put them all down, or you’ll be reading for days! I apologize in advance for the long blogs, but I cannot help myself sometimes. J

             I think I’ve mentioned before that I have been involved in a weekly Bible study at a local church where women of all walks of life meet together to dive into God’s Word. I think there are about two hundred women and about one hundred children that attend each week. I found out about it through a friend and started attending last year. I love it and it has changed me. I love my little small group of ladies. I have learned that in this life, I must hold on to God’s Word with both hands. As a friend recently said to me, “we have to stop holding on to God with one hand, and take hold of Him with both.” I have learned that for me, I have to hold tightly with both hands or I find myself quickly falling into being consumed by life’s challenges. A brief advertisement: It is called Bible Study Fellowship and they have groups internationally. They meet weekly from September through May each year and intensely study God’s Word. Next year we will be studying the book of Genesis, which will take us into other books as well. If you are interested in more details, give me a holler or go to their web page at http://www.bsfinternational.org/Home/tabid/53/Default.aspx

This past year we studied “The Acts of the Apostles”, which involved an in depth study of Acts, Hebrews, James, 1 and 2 Corinthians, Ephesians, Philippians, 1 and 2 Thessalonians, 1 and 2 Peter and Jude. Yea, I know…that’s a lot of studying, but oh my gracious, it has been so worth the effort! This last week’s lesson focused on Paul again, in the last few chapters of the book of Acts. I was reading over my study notes this morning and came across some things I have to share. If you remember, Paul started out as Saul, a Jew, a Pharisee, an intelligent man, a church leader, oh and a strong persecutor of true believers. Something happened in his life that transformed him. He met Jesus. From that point on, Paul became a follower of Christ, and not only that, but God used him as an instrument to spread the Gospel to all nations. Wow! That’s good news for people like me! If God chose to use Paul, a persecutor of His own people, surely He can do something with me! J

Back to Paul, after many miles of travel, teaching in synagogues, being beaten, imprisoned, shipwrecked and rejected by his own people, Paul ends up back in Jerusalem. He initially receives a warm welcome, however, it was short-lived. Soon everyone is angry with Paul, to the point of wanting to brutally kill him. Ever had a day like that? Most of us, if we were honest, would probably say no. It was at this time, that Paul was doing all he was called to do and more. My study notes explained that Paul was doing more than what he was expected or required to do. The notes used Joseph as an example too. When he went beyond the call of duty, his own brothers turned against him. Well, most of us could say that we’ve never had our lives threatened, but most of us could say that we’ve felt opposition or persecution from others, possibly even our own loved ones or church family members, or maybe a boss, or co-worker.

One thing that I have learned about Paul is that he never took his eyes off of his calling, even in the face of strong rejection. As far as I can tell, Paul never asked for the calling God gave him, but once he received it, he pressed on in it until the day he died. Paul knew that he was where he was supposed to be by the will of God, so he persevered. In Jerusalem, he was mistreated and put into chains, yet God used this trial as another stepping stone to the advance of His Word.

 There have been times recently that I’ve questioned my own calling, and trust me, I’ve never walked a road like Paul often walked. Right now, God has me in a place that is so much bigger than me. As I’ve mentioned before in my writings, I am not humanly equipped to do what He has called me to do, I am the least likely candidate. But, I am equipped by the Master to accomplish His work. Paul had no question about this. He knew his calling and Who called him to it. He knew that everything that happened to him was in God’s purpose for him. He looked at every part of his life as an opportunity to obey and serve God. He never stopped proclaiming the truth. He knew that even in trials, even in persecution, God had a purpose. I used to have this warped idea of who Paul was. I’m sure that I still only have a glimpse of who Paul was, but one thing I have learned about him, I want to live more like he did after his conversion. I want to be faithful to complete what God has called me to, even when it gets hard. I hunger for more and more of God’s Word. I pray that I will be genuinely changed by it. I want to persevere like Paul did until I stand before Jesus face to face. I seek God’s grace, power, strength and love to carry out His will for me. I don’t have it all together, but I am connected to the One who does! I pray today that you will take the time to sit down with a cup of tea in your favorite quiet place and dive into some part of His Word. Perhaps a study of Paul is a good place to start. (see Acts 21-28)

God bless you and thanks for reading. Terry