Short Stories

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As we grow older in life, as we sit back and reflect on the things we've learned, and the experiences we've gone through, I think it's natural to evaluate and assess not only achieved goals but future challenges that we will face. In what I am about to say, I do not want to seem critical, but when we push aside our egos, our desire for acceptance, and the decisions that we make under peer pressure, we begin to find the root and the cause for all of our actions and how they relate to Gods will for our individual lives.

I think of the apostle Paul, a more devoted man I think would be hard to find, his zealousness for the causes for which he believed and lived were far above criticism. After all he had obtained in his life and the level of success he had achieved it was still all for nothing when compared to Gods divine plan. The unique thing about Paul's mistakes was he was willing to acknowledge them and go on. As he walked on the road to Damascus with letters of imprisonment for those who followed the way of Christ a bright light shone around him and a voice from heaven spoke and said Saul why do you persecute me. I can only imagine the shock and the puzzled expression on his face when he said who art thou Lord. What happened next shook him to his core, “I am Jesus, why do you persecute me”. Jesus?, the Lord? The Lord of all the earth, the God of Abraham, how could this be?

The world seemed to close in around him, his breathe came in short gasps, his eyes were darkened and the world began to spin After all he had done, after all he had achieved, it was all for nothing. This revelation as to the deity of Christ still lies hidden for many even to this day. As Saul lay in a house borrowed for him on a street called straight, he looked back at all that had happened. In the light of Christ’s presence he was able to glimpse himself through Gods eyes. It was like looking in a mirror for the first time and seeing yourself not as you imagined yourself to be but as you truly were. It was a shock that shook him to the core.

How could this happen, how could so many like himself have missed this glimpse of divinity that walked the streets of their cities and ministered to countless numbers of those in need. It was as though his eyes had been blinded long before this event on the road to Damascus. What have I done? How could I have been so deceived? After all the lessons I had been taught and those I had encouraged to bring down this movement, how could I have been so deceived.

It was the sound of his voice and the light of revelation that caught his attention; it was a rebirth of hope and spiritual direction as the master called out his name. This conversion was taking place deep down within his heart to the very depths of his soul. Amidst the pain of guilt that covered him like a blanket their was the light of a new day dawning, that is if he was willing to follow. God had called him and changed his heart, this zealous Pharisee was bathed in the presence of the almighty and through this conversion, and truly all things did become new.

The most notable thing about Paul is that even though he was a zealot for the causes he believed in he was also able to acknowledge his mistakes and go on. Leaving those old things behind and picking up a cross that led him in a direction he had fought against before.

Our we able to do the same thing. For behold God is doing a new thing in the world, the latter rain is falling all around us, the soil is fertile and the seed is tried and true. It’s the prayers of our predecessors that fills our ears as we grow older. “Search me O Lord and see if their be any wicked way in me”. What will you do with this man called Jesus, the Great Shepherd, Our Savior, The King of Kings, and Lamb of God, as he calls out your name, our you willing to walk in that light and follow Him.

Paul found out his pulpit would not always be in marble halls of power and politics but on the dusty streets of towns and villages throughout Asia Minor and Europe. His new commission was with those he had once persecuted, and the call of God now became the fire that burned in the center of his life. Driving him on to places others would not go, even to the very seat of Caesar.

O that all of us could hear the voice, and see the brightness of the light of the Gospel of Christ. That we might be willing to face the challenges of a faith, that leads us through valleys of death and to the mountains of praise and worship.

Yes we do grow older, and with age we begin to slow down, and as we notice the scenery of life around us it causes us to reflect and prioritize what is true and what is false. I have found that age usually causes us to turn to relationships that we value, family and friends but also and most importantly Christ. We look to heaven, which has been our source of strength and hope for the years we have traveled this road to the City Of Go. Jesus is more than a product that I sell he is more than a religion which I follow, oh so much more. He is my friend, my confidant, my source of strength and forgiveness.

Some have said can you teach old dog new tricks, absolutely if he wants to learn. It seems the longer I live and the more I learn the more I realize that there is still so much I do not know. I must come out of my box of tradition and philosophies and stand firmly on the foundation of truth. Holding up the torch of salvation, for all to see, visiting people where they are, and willing to sit with those who others might feel unworthy and despicable. For their truly is is one Lord, there is One faith and there is one Baptism.

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