I decided to stop short of reading the story of Dorcas and concentrated on the story of Saul's conversion to Christianity and the start of his journey as Paul. It's a story that every little child gets told going to church. I am not sure if hearing that story so many times takes the edge of it and we become immune to the power of what happens.
"And I will show him how much he must suffer for my name's sake." (verse 16)
For the past 3 years I have been studying theology. At each point of the journey it felt like I should give up as the suffering was great. From trying to work out how to pay the school fees to getting the assignments in and finishing each point felt like a struggle. One day when I got the call to say that I would be graduating I screamed but I didn't tell anyone for ages because it didn't feel real. After all the struggling it was finally over. But then came the real work so the struggle just changed shape.
There in the middle of Saul's story which has suffering in it we see a hint or in fact a direct word that there will be more. Interestingly God tells someone else about Saul's suffering but it is Saul that has to endure it. I wonder if being called to ministry whatever ministry it is goes hand in hand with suffering of some kind.
As i am struggling with my devotion today my husband just pointed out that although there maybe suffering you will have a new perspective. In Saul's story he was blind but after the call to ministry his sight was restored. With this restoration of sight came a new perspective on life and off he went to the synagogue to preach. Maybe that's what we should pray for as Christians is perspective. Maybe that is what I need perspective.
So Lord today I ask for perspective.
No comments:
Post a Comment