REFLECTIONS

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, but then scales peeled from his eyes, and light overcame darkness. With it, Paul found new purpose in his life and an image of influence he might carry into the world—a world encouraged in heart and united in love.

The Purpose Driven Life, Rick Warren’s popular book, was not in the library. God used other means to redirect Paul’s life purpose. In a letter to Timothy, Paul explained: “I was appointed a herald and an apostle … and a teacher of the true faith to the Gentiles.” (1Timothy 2:7) And Paul’s image of a world filled with knowledge, understanding, and wisdom of Christ Jesus and treasures hidden in Him energized his travels and his teaching.

Since his youth, he passionately sought to serve God, but it took years to get it right. As a champion of the Law, Paul set out to destroy the rising movement that Jesus was the long-awaited Christ. Then events along the Damascus Road redirected everything. Reborn with a new purpose and image of the world as God intended it energized him the rest of his life and dictated his every endeavor.

God places us all in this world to serve his purpose. Like Paul, much of our time is in pursuit of the wrong mission. And we have a vision, usually unconscious, of how our legacy might shape the world around us. But like Paul, often the legacy in our mind doesn’t align with God’s purposes. But He offers chances to get it right.

God blesses each of us with unique gifts and talents; and He equips us to use them through experiences life offers. Doors of opportunity open to fulfill God’s purpose. And He paints images in our minds of actions, encouraged in heart and united in love, to serve his plan—

[That all] may know the mystery of God, namely, Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.

“You are the light of the world,”

Richard +

www.reflectingthesavior.org

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