Tuesday, October 05, 2004
Meditation
Galatians 1:13-24
His encounter with the risen Christ changed everything. From that point on, Paul understood his life in terms of “before” and “after” Jesus revealed himself on the Damascus Road. Upon setting out, he had been an upright Jew filled with zeal for the Lord, but also violently opposed to the followers of Jesus, whom he considered blasphemous. But when Jesus did reveal himself, the whole orientation and purpose of Paul’s life shifted. Now he lived only to serve the one he had so recently persecuted. Many of us can point to our own “before-and-after” story. Like Paul, we were going full steam ahead with our own agenda and plans. They may have been noble goals such as professional advancement or financial security. Or perhaps they were personal plans such as travel, marriage and family, or pursuing a new sport or hobby. There may have even been not-so-healthy goals ruling us, such as substance abuse, immorality, or self-centeredness. Whether our goals were self-indulgent or noble, they were ours, and we pursued them wholeheartedly. But then we encountered Christ and said yes to him, just as Paul did. And then our lives changed dramatically. Do you remember what it was like? Today, take Paul’s example as a springboard for your own prayer. Take some time recalling your own pivotal faith experiences. When did you decide to stop living for yourself and start living for Jesus? What situations brought about a deepening of your initial conversion? Just as Paul was clear on the experience that brought him to Christ, try to get your own conversion experience straight. Whether it was dramatic, like Paul’s, or profound in its simplicity, frequently recalling it will help you fight against temptation and doubt and better equip you to evangelize when the opportunity arises. In another letter, Paul wrote that whatever had been important to him in the past—be it honorable or dishonorable—had lost its significance when compared with knowing Jesus (Philippians 3:4-10). Throughout his ministry, Paul constantly testified that a life lived for Christ is so much better than a life spent chasing after our own interests. May our lives testify to the exact same truth! “Father, I praise you for your generous love. Thank you for pouring your life into my heart through Jesus! I recommit myself to live only for Jesus. He is all I need, and in him I have nothing to fear.” |
