What Now?
BIBLE VERSE FOR TODAY… “And falling to the ground he heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?” And he said, “Who are you, Lord?” And he said, “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. But rise and enter the city, and you will be told what you are to do.” Acts 9:4-6 ESV
Saul of Tarsus was a Jew zealous for the Law of Moses and protecting the Pharisee’s power and influence. The new followers of Christ were a threat to that and he was intent on minimizing and if possible eliminating that threat. He gave consent to the stoning of Stephen the first martyr of the church and was a willing leader in the persecution of Christians wherever they could be found.
His life altering, life changing, encounter with the resurrected Christ came as he was riding with a “posy” to arrest Christians in Damascus. When he entered Damascus it was not in strength and power, but in weakness and humility. His unexpected encounter with Christ changed the course of his life. Knocked down from a horse and stricken with blindness is a rude awakening and sets life in a new course. The Lord had a plan and purpose for Saul’s life and it all began with a rude awakening.
His temporary physical blindness, resembled the spiritual blindness he was operating under. When his sight was restored by the prayer of Ananias his eyes were opened to a new reality and a new life. He could see physically, but his spiritual sight was refocused. As a result the one time persecutor of the church became one of the greatest apostles of the Church.
Three years ago, I experienced my own “life-altering” crisis. Life changing events redirect our life. In my book, “The Longest Campaign” I make the statement, “to face a crisis and not be changed is a waste of suffering.” This afternoon I was challenged to take that “change” to a new level. We met for lunch in Denver today with Val and Diane McDaniel. This is an older couple that I married nine years ago on the balcony outside of the House of Representatives at the State Capitol. As far as I know the only wedding held in this location in Colorado history.
As we reconnected after many years, we enjoyed great times of reflection and conversation. Val asked, “do you know why you survived?” I responded, “because of answers to prayer.” He said, “No! You survived because God is not finished with you yet!” The he asked, “Have you asked the Lord what He has for you?” “Well….not that directly, I guess” was my honest response.
Debbie and I have been pleased with the opportunities for a variety of ministry activities and even “political” involvement that has come my way, but it has been more responding to opportunities, walking through “open doors” than with a specific sense of mission or direction.
I do believe that the Lord is able to direct in that manner and is able to provide opportunities for our passion and gifts to be used. But Val’s recommendation was more specific, “why don’t you ask the Lord what is next and wait and listen?” It didn’t seem like his recommendation included just retirement and taking it easy. 🙂
So, our anniversary celebration with some friends, left me with a challenge to contemplate, consider and act on. I always find it interesting when the “minister” is more the recipient than the giver of advice, counsel and challenge. I will take that challenge with me into this next week, but I will have to put on hold the invitation for ballroom dancing.
Prayer for today… Lord, the simply question, “what would you have me to do?” can be one of the most important and powerful we can ask. This is especially true, when we have been extended special grace and mercy from You. Help me to be a more sensitive “listener” and make sure my plans are always in Your will.