“...If you can fill the unforgiving minute
With sixty seconds' worth of distance run,
Yours is the Earth and everything that's in it,
And - which is more - you'll be a Man, my son!”
― RUDYARD KIPLING
JOB 19-20
ACTS 9:23-43Saul becomes a wanted man and proves that he has changed...
23After many days had gone by, there was a conspiracy among the Jews to kill him, 24but Saul learned of their plan. Day and night they kept close watch on the city gates in order to kill him. 25But his followers took him by night and lowered him in a basket through an opening in the wall.26When he came to Jerusalem, he tried to join the disciples, but they were all afraid of him, not believing that he really was a disciple. 27But Barnabas took him and brought him to the apostles. He told them how Saul on his journey had seen the Lord and that the Lord had spoken to him, and how in Damascus he had preached fearlessly in the name of Jesus. 28So Saul stayed with them and moved about freely in Jerusalem, speaking boldly in the name of the Lord. 29He talked and debated with the Hellenistic Jews,a but they tried to kill him. 30When the believers learned of this, they took him down to Caesarea and sent him off to Tarsus.31Then the church throughout Judea, Galilee and Samaria enjoyed a time of peace and was strengthened. Living in the fear of the Lord and encouraged by the Holy Spirit, it increased in numbers.
JOURNAL
Job is isolated and alone. His friends have turned on him and even his wife rebukes him. He doesn't know why he is in this position but here he sits. Yet the one thing he has is his faith and his hope in God. He believes in the greatness of God. He is betting that in the end God is ultimately good even though he doesn't understand why he is suffering.
Saul on the other hand steps into the role of persecution and suffering after his encounter on the road to Damascus. He is forever changed no matter the persecution, doubt, etc. Even though Saul openly and aggressively killed christians he is now becoming one of them. It is an amazing transformation but one that is core and fundamental to the Christian faith. We believe that a transformation of the heart occurs at conversion. A transformation that is more powerful than society, or family or traditions or culture. A transformation that causes murderers to become martyrs, takers to become givers, rule-followers to become rule-breakers and hardened evil to become tender love.
I believe this happens because acceptance of God's love and forgiveness means acceptance of who we are and therefore we no longer desperately search for validation. We are filled with love and acceptance and therefore that comes bubbling out of us...spilling over to everyone we encounter. It also gives us the strength and endurance to make the most of every minute...instead of seeing it as an opportunity to receive validation and belonging...we see it as an opportunity to share love and belonging. This is transformational and this is the Gospel.
Saul on the other hand steps into the role of persecution and suffering after his encounter on the road to Damascus. He is forever changed no matter the persecution, doubt, etc. Even though Saul openly and aggressively killed christians he is now becoming one of them. It is an amazing transformation but one that is core and fundamental to the Christian faith. We believe that a transformation of the heart occurs at conversion. A transformation that is more powerful than society, or family or traditions or culture. A transformation that causes murderers to become martyrs, takers to become givers, rule-followers to become rule-breakers and hardened evil to become tender love.
I believe this happens because acceptance of God's love and forgiveness means acceptance of who we are and therefore we no longer desperately search for validation. We are filled with love and acceptance and therefore that comes bubbling out of us...spilling over to everyone we encounter. It also gives us the strength and endurance to make the most of every minute...instead of seeing it as an opportunity to receive validation and belonging...we see it as an opportunity to share love and belonging. This is transformational and this is the Gospel.
2through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And web boast in the hope of the glory of God. 3Not only so, but wec also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; 4perseverance, character; and character, hope. 5And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.
~ ROMANS 5:2-5