Saul was still breathing out murderous threats against the Lord’s disciples. He went to the high priest and asked him for letters to the synagogues in Damascus, so that if he found any there who belonged to the Way, whether men or women, he might take them as prisoners to Jerusalem. As he neared Damascus on his journey, suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him. He fell to the ground and heard a voice say to him, “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?” “Who are you, Lord?” Saul asked. “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting,” he replied. “Now get up and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do.” Acts 9:1-6; 10-17
If you have been a child of God for any season, you have been exposed to the wisdom of God. A “God that is your refuge and your strength, and a very present help in times of trouble.” And if a way has ever been made for you in your life, you know that God made that way. If a burden has been lifted, you know God was the one doing the lifting. And, if the darkness has disappeared, you know that it was God’s light that was shining bright.
In being a child of God there is good news and bad news. The good news is that we know God is not finished with you yet, because God has a purpose and plan for your future. And the bad news is God will not let you stay as you are today. God is going to keep chipping and chipping away at you, until you are conformed to the image of His only begotten Son, Jesus the Christ.
This is what Saul experienced in the Book of Acts. Saul had a life-changing experience; he had no choice but to “Let Go and Let God.” Initially he obtained permission from the High Priests to go from Jerusalem to Damascus and arrest Christians, and then killed them. But “Saul looked intently at Jesus, who was now called Paul, after he was filled with the Holy Spirit.” What Saul did not know is that God had set him apart from birth. Saul had been called by God’s grace before he entered his mother’s womb.
So, God took Saul’s life as though it were a blank sheet of paper and rewrote it entirely, leaving certain things out. Saul had to let go of the hate and anger he held within against other Christians. God brought the love out of Saul; it was a love that conquered his hate and his anger.
When we “let go and let God,” our lives will be made complete.
What is unfinished — will be finished. What is lacking will be made full. What is partial will be made whole. What is less than enough will be far more than adequate. What is broken will be fixed. What is hurt will be healed. What is weak will be made strong. What is temporary will be made permanent. God promised to do it — and He cannot lie. Today, and forever, God has begun a good work in you, and a good work in me!
Rev. Marion J. Miller is the Senior Pastor of Wesley United Methodist Church, 1201 Thomas V. Bryant Drive, Jeffersonville, Indiana. She may also be contacted at 812-283-3747 or via email at wesley1201@sbcglobal.net.
