How do you get to the place God wants you to be?
Character, yes. Giftedness, yes.
But there is another factor: people.
Consider those, other than Christ, who helped Saul become Paul.
The Temple in Jerusalem
Act I, Scene 1
The word of God kept on spreading; and the number of the disciples continued to increase. Stephen was performing great signs among the people. But men from the Synagogue rose up and argued with Stephen. Yet they were unable to cope with the wisdom and the Spirit of Stephen. They secretly induced men to say, “We have heard Stephen speak blasphemous words. Acts 6:7-11
The Trial in Jerusalem
Act I, Scene 2
They stirred up the people, and they came upon Stephen and dragged him away, and brought him before the Temple Council. They put forward false witnesses who said, “We have heard him say that this Nazarene, Jesus, will destroy this place and alter the customs which Moses handed down to us.” All who were sitting in the Council saw Stephen’s face was like the face of an angel. Acts 6:12-15
The Tragedy in Jerusalem
Act I, Scene 3
When they heard this, they began gnashing their teeth at Stephen. But being full of the Holy Spirit, he said, “I see the heavens opened up and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God.” They cried out and covered their ears, and they rushed upon him. When they had driven him out of the city, they began stoning him, and the witnesses laid aside their robes at the feet of a young man named Saul. Stephen called upon the Lord and said, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit! Lord, do not hold this sin against them!” Having said this, he fell asleep. Acts 7:54-60
The Homes of the Christians
Act II, Scene 1
But Saul was ravaging the church, and he dragged off men and women to prison. Now those who were scattered went about preaching the word. Acts 8:3-4
The Home of Saul
Act II, Scene 2
Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples, went to the high priest, and asked for letters to the synagogues at Damascus, so that if he found any belonging to the Way, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem. Acts 9:1-2
The Heat of the Son
Act II, Scene 3
Saul heard a voice “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?” He said, “Who art Thou, Lord?” He said, “I am Jesus whom you are persecuting, but enter the city, and it shall be told you what you must do.” The men who traveled with him stood speechless, hearing the voice, but seeing no one. Saul got up from the ground, and he could see nothing; and they brought him into Damascus. Now there was a certain disciple at Damascus, named Ananias; and the Lord said in a vision, “Ananias.” He said, “Behold, here am I, Lord.” The Lord said “Go to the street called Straight and inquire at the house of Judas for a man from Tarsus named Saul. Saul has seen in a vision a man named Ananias come in and lay his hands on him, so that he might regain his sight.” Ananias answered, “Lord, I have heard from many about this man, how much harm he did to saints at Jerusalem; and he has authority from the chief priests to bind all who call upon thy name.” The Lord said to him, “Go, for he is a chosen instrument of Mine, to bear My name before the Gentiles and kings and the sons of Israel; for I will show him how much he must suffer for My name’s sake.” Ananias departed and entered the house, and after laying his hands on him said, “Brother Saul, Jesus, who appeared to you, has sent me so that you may regain your sight, and be filled with the Holy Spirit” Immediately there fell from his eyes something like scales, and he regained his sight, and he arose and was baptized. Acts 9:4-18
What?
To be used by God we must believe that God uses ordinary people to accomplish extra-ordinary tasks. Like Ananias. (Acts 9:10-12)
So What?
To be used by God we must believe God has plans for those He sends to us. People like Saul. (Acts 9:13-16)
Now What?
To be used by God we must believe that God honors availability not just ability. Can God use you? He can! Stephen, Ananias, Barnabas, Silas, Judas, etc. were available. (Acts 9:17-19)
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