FRIDAY REVIEW

God’s Chosen Vessels

Conversion of Saint Paul the Apostle, January 25, A.D.2008

Last week we noted how St. Peter, by the grace of God and the power of the Holy Spirit, was enabled to confess Jesus as the Christ, the Son of the Living God. This week we turn our attention to the second great biblical apostle, St. Paul of Tarsus. The emphasis here is on the power of God to reach out and lay hold of a chosen vessel.

Known as Saul, this prominent Pharisee was on his way to Damascus to persecute Christians. What an unlikely vessel for God’s use. First God had to get Paul’s attention by unhorsing him supernaturally. Arising, Paul found himself blinded and obedient to the Lord Jesus’ voice to wait for further instructions in Damascus. God gave him a vision of Ananias coming to him to lay hands on him to restore his sight.

In weakness and with his prestigious life turned upside down, Paul submitted to the ministry of Ananias, received his sight, was filled with the Holy Spirit, was baptized, and began to preach that Jesus was the Son of God. As the Lord had told the hesitant Ananias, Paul was his chosen instrument to carry His Name before the Gentiles. Paul learned that he was a weak vessel, made strong only by the power of God’s Holy Spirit. His pride and self-confidence gave way to humility and trust in God.

We too are God’s chosen vessels. We are not St. Paul, the first great theologian and missionary of the Church, but we are saints that God has called and empowered to do the work that He’s given us to do. It matters not what the work is as long as it’s God’s work. Some teach, some serve the homeless, prepare the bulletins, or clean the nursery, and some spend hours on their knees in intercessory prayer.

We covet your prayers next week for a Network meeting in Jacksonville. Bishop Duncan will be here along with other ICON (International Conference of the Network) bishops, deans, and our key assistants. Pray for us as we pray into the work God has given us to do. Since I will be engaged in this meeting, there will be no Friday Review next week. May God be glorified in all that we say and do.

Your brother in Jesus the Christ,

Jim McCaslin+