REFLECTIONS

August 18th, 2019

My purpose is that they may be encouraged in heart and united in love, so that they may have the full riches of complete understanding, in order that they may know the mystery of God, namely, Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.

Colossians 2:2-3

Image of the Future

Everything changed. The voice and bright light along the Damascus Road started it all. At first the light struck him blind, then scales peeled from his eyes, and light replaced the darkness. Paul found new purpose in his life and with it a fresh image of the impact he might bring to the world—a world encouraged by hope and united in love.

The Purpose Driven Life, Rick Warren’s popular book, was not in the library then. God found another way to reveal Paul’s new mission to him. Paul described it to his student, Timothy, “I was appointed a herald and an apostle … and a teacher of the true faith to the Gentiles.” (1Timothy 2:7)  But Paul’s freshened image of the future pictured a world filled with the knowledge, understanding, and wisdom of Christ Jesus and the treasures hidden in Him. Paul’s role was to teach about it.

Prior to Damascus Road, Paul committed his life in service to God albeit off course. He aggressively worked to destroy the rising movement begun by followers of Jesus. Then the unexpected events along the Damascus Road changed everything. A new purpose became clear, an image of a world encouraged by hope and united in love. The picture energized the rest of his life and directed his every move.

God places us all in this world to serve his purposes. Like Paul, much of our time is in pursuit of the wrong mission. And we all have an image of how our lives might reshape the world around us. But like Paul, sometimes the purpose we pursue does not align with the purpose God has for our lives. But as with Paul, God provides a chance to get it right.

Each of us is blessed by God with gifts and talents. Through life experiences, God equips us to use them for his purposes. He provides opportunities through doors only he can open. And he paints images in our minds that energize our lives and dictate our actions to serve his plan—

that all may know his son, Jesus the Christ.

You are the light of the world,

Richard +

www.reflectingthesavior.org.


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