Paul recognized that God had a purpose for his life. He started life by pursuing this call in the Jewish religion and became more zealous than anyone else in his work.
And profited in the Jews’ religion above many my equals in mine own nation, being more exceedingly zealous of the traditions of my fathers.
Galatians 1:14
The Lord revealed Himself to Paul and showed him he was on the wrong course. This required Paul to abandon everything he had accomplished to pursue the God’s plan and purpose for his life.
And Saul, yet breathing out threatenings and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord, went unto the high priest, And desired of him letters to Damascus to the synagogues, that if he found any of this way, whether they were men or women, he might bring them bound unto Jerusalem. And as he journeyed, he came near Damascus: and suddenly there shined round about him a light from heaven: And he fell to the earth, and heard a voice saying unto him, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me? And he said, Who art thou, Lord? And the Lord said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest: it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks. And he trembling and astonished said, Lord, what wilt thou have me to do? And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the city, and it shall be told thee what thou must do. And the men which journeyed with him stood speechless, hearing a voice, but seeing no man. And Saul arose from the earth; and when his eyes were opened, he saw no man: but they led him by the hand, and brought him into Damascus. And he was three days without sight, and neither did eat nor drink. And there was a certain disciple at Damascus, named Ananias; and to him said the Lord in a vision, Ananias. And he said, Behold, I am here, Lord. And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the street which is called Straight, and enquire in the house of Judas for one called Saul, of Tarsus: for, behold, he prayeth, And hath seen in a vision a man named Ananias coming in, and putting his hand on him, that he might receive his sight. Then Ananias answered, Lord, I have heard by many of this man, how much evil he hath done to thy saints at Jerusalem: And here he hath authority from the chief priests to bind all that call on thy name. But the Lord said unto him, Go thy way: for he is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel: For I will shew him how great things he must suffer for my name’s sake. And Ananias went his way, and entered into the house; and putting his hands on him said, Brother Saul, the Lord, even Jesus, that appeared unto thee in the way as thou camest, hath sent me, that thou mightest receive thy sight, and be filled with the Holy Ghost. And immediately there fell from his eyes as it had been scales: and he received sight forthwith, and arose, and was baptized.
Acts 9:1-18
Paul had to make a completely new direction. There are Christians who recognize the call of God but do not know how to pursue it. They take the gifts God has placed inside of them and use them for purposes other than what God has called them to do.
It is possible to take the gifts of God and use them to pursue a direction that He never called us to walk. Paul became more zealous than his peers in a Jewish leadership. It is said that Elvis Presley talked about having a call but he used the gifts God had given him to glorify himself. There are many such examples through history.
We may have discovered some of our talents. Are we using them in the way that God planned? Maybe we are but maybe we aren’t.
The key is to hear from God and follow His direction. This will not happen be accident. It will require us to set aside time on a daily basis to pursue His plan.
We only have one life on this planet. This one is not a dress rehearsal for the next. It is the only chance we will have to pursue and fulfill the plan of God.
We do not have time to just go through the motions. Every day must be used to pursue the plan and purposes of God. There are people who may never hear the message if we do not take it to them.
I don’t want to get to the end of my life hoping that I’ve done what God created me to.
Then the word of the Lord came unto me, saying, Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee; and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee, and I ordained thee a prophet unto the nations.
Jeremiah 1:4-5
Notice that God formed Jeremiah in his mother’s belly. He was involved from the beginning in Jeremiah’s life. He has been involved in our lives from the moment of conception. We are not accidents in some cosmic game.
We saw that Paul was separated to the Gospel ministry from his mother’s womb. The word translated “sanctified” in Jeremiah 1 means the same thing. Jeremiah was separated to the prophet’s ministry from his mother’s womb. We also have been separated to a specific calling from our mother’s wombs!
God had a purpose for Jeremiah but notice his reaction to his calling.
Then said I, Ah, Lord God! behold, I cannot speak: for I am a child.
Jeremiah 1:6
The calling of God comes with an equipping. We must get our eyes off of our natural abilities.
But the Lord said unto me, Say not, I am a child: for thou shalt go to all that I shall send thee, and whatsoever I command thee thou shalt speak. Be not afraid of their faces: for I am with thee to deliver thee, saith the Lord. Then the Lord put forth his hand, and touched my mouth. And the Lord said unto me, Behold, I have put my words in thy mouth.
Jeremiah 1:7-9
God calls us and He equips us. If He has called you to teach, He will give you the words to speak.
When He began to speak to me about this blog it intimidated me. I did not know what to write or if anyone would read these posts. He has faithfully shown me what to write and the blog now has readers in forty plus nations!
You have been created for a specific purpose. Are you doing what God has called you to do?
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