Thoughts for the Day

Paul an apostle—sent neither by human commission nor from human authorities, but through Jesus Christ and God the Father, who raised him from the dead — and all the members of God’s family who are with me,

To the churches of Galatia: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ, who gave himself for our sins to set us free from the present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father, to whom be the glory for ever and ever. Amen.

I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting the one who called you in the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel..... As we have said before, so now I repeat, if anyone proclaims to you a gospel contrary to what you received, let that one be accursed....!

For I want you to know, brothers and sisters, that the gospel that was proclaimed by me is not of human origin; for I did not receive it from a human source, nor was I taught it, but I received it through a revelation of Jesus Christ.

(Lectionary, New Revised Standard Version)

Thoughts

Today we remember the conversion of Saint Paul, who heard the voice of Jesus on the road to Damascus where he was going to persecute Christians. It changed his whole life and he became an evangelist, established new churches and wrote letters of instruction to them. As a Pharisee he had worked to ensure that the people obeyed the Law of Moses. Now God had a new role for him. All his experience and his life had led him to this point, under the guidance of God.

Have you ever felt that God was offering you a fresh start? In 1988 I was amazed to get offered the post of Children's and RE Adviser for the Diocese of Worcester. I had trained as a secondary teacher years earlier, before becoming a Deaconess, but I had a very young family - not an asset at the time! The Diocese had around 130 schools and 280 parishes. My remit went up to 18 years old, but the job was about training the adults who worked with children, not the youngsters themselves.

I very quickly realised though that God had brought me to the right place, and that all my experience, of running my own business, teaching in a Grammar School, and organising an ecumenical church, meant God knew exactly what he was doing. Can you look back over your life and see such a moment when you felt sure that God had brought you to the right task, or indeed, are you facing a new task now? If the latter take a deep breath, turn to God in prayer, and then go for it!

Lord God,
You are with us always,
but sometimes we forget this.
Help us to see Your involvement
over our lifetime,
and to welcome Your call when it comes,
today, or in the future.
Amen.