Change is in the air

Ever feel like change is in the air? Maybe, it isn’t in the air at all and seems like it never will be, but you feel a change is what is needed. The tendency is to resist, to settle on the current scenery, because, regardless of the situation, there is comfort in things remaining the same. The pull to remain the same may be driven by acceptance of others, fear of the unknown, the desire to avoid risk, simply settling in life, and many other reasons that our mind creates. But, deep down, you know that the waters need to be stirred, change is needed.

God is in the business of change. In fact, one could argue from the pages of Scripture that God consistently changes and maneuvers people and situations. He is an active God. Remaining the same risks dormancy, and dormancy misses the one true God. So, in His goodness, He pursues, He pushes change, breaking through the mental blocks of arrogance, comfort, blind spots, lack of confidence, and feelings of inferiority.

Paul knew about change. He didn’t think he needed it, as, the way he saw it, he had life by the tail. He had won. He had power and influence. He could make things happen and was in total control.

Until he was in his early thirties, Paul, in his words, “persecuted the church of God violently and tried to destroy it.” He hated the church and followers of Christ. His passion in life was to destroy the church, and he pursued the mission with vigor. His life journey was set. He was present in support as Stephen, a follower of Christ, was stoned to death. His power and influence must have given him great comfort.

But, change happened, as Paul came face-to-face with a holy God. When this happens, there is only one response. Bow.

In Acts chapter 9, Jesus dramatically approaches Paul. On the now famous road to Damascus, change strikes. Jesus approaches Paul, and his life is forever altered, like a line in the sand, forever, permanently changed. Paul moved from a destroyer of the church to one building the church, from no forgiveness to promoting grace, from hatred to the promotion of love, a new life, denouncing his former ways. Abrupt, dramatic change.

The obvious question is why would a holy God approach a ruthless man like Paul? Why Paul? This guy was blatantly against God. He hated the followers of Jesus, wanted them dead to prevent anyone else from following. Paul rolled his eyes at the church and made it his mission to wash it from the face of the earth.

The Bible tells us that God knew Paul before he was born. Galatians 1:15 gives us this truth saying “he who had set me apart before I was born.” Before Paul was born, God had a plan. But the first 30 plus years of his life, Paul lived as far from God as possible. No acknowledgement, complete disregard. He made a mockery of the church. In fact, when Jesus approached Paul in Acts 9, the Bible says that Paul was “breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord.”

Psalm 103:19 says that God’s throne is in Heaven, and He rules over all. Paul’s wayward life was not a surprise to God. He knew Paul’s journey, his disdain for Jesus, but that didn’t alter God’s plan. Paul was set apart in the womb, but Jesus had not been revealed to him. Paul knew of Jesus, but he didn’t know Jesus.

Jesus changed everything.

If you know the Bible, we know that Paul becomes, arguably, the greatest missionary that has ever lived. After meeting Jesus face-to-face, his mission was to bring as many people as possible to the saving grace of Christ. His mission flipped from destroying the church to growing the church. Paul wrote 13 of the 27 books, almost half, of the New Testament.

Why did God select Paul in the womb, knowing that he would destroy the church until age 33? The answer is found in 1 Timothy 1:16.

But God had mercy on me so that Christ Jesus could use me as a prime example of his great patience with even the worst sinners. Then others will realize that they, too, can believe in him and receive eternal life. 1 Timothy 1:16 (NLT)

God has great patience with people. Some other translations say “perfect patience.” So, the perfect God has perfect patience with those that stray from Him or do not believe in Him. He orchestrates change in lives at the right time, displaying perfect patience so that others may see and know Him.

Truths from the change in Paul’s life has many implications for our own lives.

First, never judge anyone. We have no idea of the road that the individual has traveled or where God may lead their journey. We all have flaws, and the tendency is to miss our blind spots and accentuate the flaws of others. The truth is that we have no idea of the future of the person that we are judging. When God is involved in change, the past is no prediction of the future. Do not put others in a box or write them off. This side of Heaven, we simply do not know what the future holds, but, we do know that God created everyone in His image.

Judge not, that you be not judged. For with the judgment you pronounce you will be judged, and with the measure you use it will be measured to you. Why do you see the speck that is in your brother’s eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye? Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when there is the log in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother’s eye. Matthew 7:1-5

The second thing we can learn from the l change in Paul’s life is the principle of submission to the current standard of life. We may believe that it is what it is, and our current life is set in stone. The tendency is to give up, wave the white flag, submit to our current situation. The story of Paul emphasizes that we should never settle. Never write yourself off or wear yourself out over past failures. As Paul’s life show us, God has “perfect patience.” It is never too late to bow to God. You don’t have to improve yourself. Just trust and God changes. God did that with Paul, and He does that with each and everyone one of us……….daily.

The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. Lamentations 3:23,24

Finally, if you are a believer in Jesus, continually recognize the grace that you have received. Let God’s grace, the forgiveness that you have received, be at the tip of your tongue. Let the grace that you have received bring you joy today, knowing that your future is secure. Let the grace you have received drive love toward others, recognizing, like Paul, that you did nothing to receive this grace.

For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. Ephesians 2:8,9

The last thing about change is that it is never-ending. Paul’s life was in a state of continual change, and the same is true of us. We never arrive, and God is never finished. He continually changes and leads. His will for our lives is to allow Him to guide us.

Ready for a change? God is ready to lead.

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