Acts 26
Saul was a busy man. He was in the community doing good deeds by getting people off the streets that he thought didn't belong there. He took action and got things done. The problem was, the people he was arresting were spreading the truth of the gospel…they were Godly people. He was picking on the good guys. God, in His mercy, revealed Himself to Saul in a big way. While he was walking with some friends on the road, Saul saw a light shine upon him that was brighter than the sun, and he heard a loud voice that was not one of his friends. "Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?" (vs. 14) Saul didn't know who it was, but the voice said, "I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting." (vs. 15) This was quite a revelation to Saul. He was now faced with the fact that he was persecuting Jesus. He thought he was doing the right thing. His actions were justified in his mind, until now. At this point, he was on the ground before God listening to every word, trying to process what was going on. But Jesus did not stop with the accusations. He then said "But rise and stand on your feet; for I have appeared to you for this purpose, to make you a minister and a witness both of the things which you have seen and of the things which I will yet reveal to you." (vs. 16) Jesus revealed the next step for Saul to take. He said, "Get up! I have plans for you!" God wanted to use Saul's energy and abilities to spread the gospel, not to hinder it, as he had been doing before. It is obvious to see that Saul was in a dangerous place when he was persecuting Christians, and it might seem better if God had simply made him stop. But God was not content with just stopping Saul in his tracks, and revealing what he was doing wrong. He wanted to use Saul to reach out and save souls. Saul got up in obedience and went forth, spreading the gospel and witnessing about the power of God.
With only nine days left until Christmas, it may be tempting to take a break from the decorating, baking, and shopping to just sit down and escape it all. But it requires some effort to get everything done. We must continue on in the battle. Just as we can't expect our chores to get done on their own, we can't reach the lost by sitting around. It is a dangerous place to sit and be idle. It is time to rise up and reach out to others, and be a witness of all that God has done.
~ Kimberly Frantz
