A Change for the Better

"Nothing happens unless something is moved."  - Albert Einstein

Change can be risky at best, especially when it involves habitual activity. After all, any accustomed behavior is hard to change. We know this because of our own familiarity with doing things long established as habits or routines.

Nevertheless, one can always "change for the better." Merriam-Webster defines it as: an improvement in situation or state of affairs over what was. This wonderfully characterizes someone who has come to know Jesus Christ.

Saul of Tarsus, better known as Paul the apostle, was of Hebrew ancestry; his parents hardcore Pharisees. He grew up and was educated among intensely, passionate Jewish nationalists and strict followers of the Law of Moses.

He learned to speak Greek, even if it was frowned upon in his household, and had a decent grasp of Latin. Saul's family were Roman citizens, but recognized the city of Jerusalem as sacred and holy (Acts 22:22-29).

A master of Jewish history, and later a lawyer, Saul was on the fast track to become a member of the Sanhedrin, the Jewish Supreme Court. His great passion for his faith gradually evolved into religious extremism.

This fed his ruthlessness against Christians. It's possible he was at Stephen's trial, but he was definitely at his stoning (Acts 7:58). Looking at Saul's life, thus far, any "change" seems near impossible.

Little did Saul know that he was on a collision course with "change."  Life, as he had known it was about to be turned upside down. And there wasn't anything he could do about it. With God nothing is impossible (Matthew 19:26).

While on the road from Jerusalem to Damascus, to round up Christians and bring them back for imprisonment, Saul encountered the resurrected Jesus Christ. His life was never the same (Acts 9:1-22).

Saul became a devoted follower of the Lord, making known His name to Gentiles and Israelites alike (Acts (:15). Later, he was even persecuted for sharing the Gospel (Acts 14:19; 2 Corinthians 11:25–26).

He spent so much time teaching in Gentile areas that he started using his Roman name Paul (Acts 13:9). The apostle Paul spent the rest of his life proclaiming the risen Jesus Christ all over the Roman world.

Paul's life had completely changed because of Jesus Christ. He went from being an unrelenting persecutor of Christians, to an apostle, and the writer of several of the New Testament books.

At the outset, I mentioned that change can be difficult for some. We all have things we'd like to change about ourselves, but are afraid or unsure of doing so because of the unknown.

God is ready to help and guide you. However, you must surrender to Him. Paul changed because he learned to let go and place his trust in God. He has a better plan for you, but you'll never know if you don't let go (Jeremiah 29:11).

If God's saving grace could "change" a person like Saul, imagine what He can do for you! It doesn't matter what you've done, where you've been, or where you're from, "change" is available to all through God (Jeremiah 29:11).

Scripture: Psalm 51:10; Proverbs 3:5-6; 2 Corinthians 5:17; 2 Peter 3:9; Galatians 2:20

Prayer: Dear Lord, thank You for Your everlasting grace towards me. Amen.

God bless you, 

Whitney