June 16. Acts 22. Leslie Millet
Jesus Disrupted Paul's Life
On the road to Damascus, Paul saw a bright light and Jesus spoke to him directly. Paul was blinded, scales fell off his eyes, and then he could see...literally!
Paul had sincere belief, faith, obedience, and repentance. There was only one thing left to do...be baptized! (Acts 22:16)
Just like us, Paul's real story began after that -how exciting!
A Scared Brother
God used Ananias (Acts 9:13-17). I love it when a speaker shares an embarrassing story or a weakness. It is a living example of someone allowing God to work through them, despite their weaknesses. It encourages me to do the same. Ananias did not believe that Paul could follow Christ, yet he still obeyed Jesus and God worked through him to reach and baptize Paul. Like Paul, I had sincere interactions with the Lord, he chased me down and disrupted my life. God used women that were sometimes afraid, like Ananias, to meet me and baptize me. I am forever grateful!
My Challenges
Oh, Lord.."Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me." -Psalm 51:12
My challenge now is to frequently take time to remember my conversion story and recall when Jesus met me on the road and disrupted my life.
I must regularly ask myself if I am satisfied and if my salvation is enough. This takes intention and quiet contemplation. When I do this, my heartbeat slows, I remember God's goodness to me...and I am indeed grateful.
My challenge today is to be willing to humble myself and share with someone else about who I was before Christ, and who I am without Christ. Will I share about how I need God and his people every single day to help me through my current struggles and weaknesses? Will I ask myself every day if I am still willing to identify with Jesus, and still willing to die to myself and follow him even when I’m afraid (which is a lot these days). Am I still willing to trust & obey him, and point people to the truth (like Ananias)?
These are daily decisions for me. Please. Pray for me. Let's pray for each other on this epic journey!
Practicals:
If you have time this month, write your "before and after story".
Take time to remember your conversion story. Need help? Click here.
Write your "after story". What would it say right now?
No "perfection" allowed! You can revisit and rewrite your story as often as you like. Only you and God will see this, so have fun (see Ephesians 3:20-21).
Mine might say this:
"Then the Lord said to me.
Go! I will send you to the far away land of Hampton Roads. Great people reside there. You will reach young-ish (😉) middle-aged, artsy, quirky, craftsy, beach-loving married women for me. Many families and generations will be saved and they will be great in the land.
But...you will suffer through many trials, a quarantine, a pandemic, political, racial, and emotional stress. Persevere, and remember that I have told you these things
SO THAT I WILL BE GLORIFIED. NOW GO!