Chosen Instrument

"But the Lord said to him, “Go, for he is a chosen instrument of mine to carry my name before the Gentiles and kings and the children of Israel. 16For I will show him how much he must suffer for the sake of my name.” 17So Ananias departed and entered the house. And laying his hands on him he said, “Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus who appeared to you on the road by which you came has sent me so that you may regain your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit.” 18And immediately something like scales fell from his eyes, and he regained his sight. Then he rose and was baptized; 19and taking food, he was strengthened" (Acts 9:15-19)

This week, we also observe the conversion of St. Paul.

I taught gifted and talented for a few years when I was a classroom teacher. When a student was nominated, they usually fit a criterion from teachers we called "teacher pleasers." These students are good, solid kids. They come to school on time, turn in assignments, and make A's. A truly gifted child may be anything but that. He or she may be the kid in the corner making D's who you know is smart, but he or she doesn't apply him or herself. In fact, smart may not describe him or her. "Out on another planet" might. Yet, someone along the way sees a ray of hope in this child and sees his or hers potential.

Saul was smart, but he was angry and wanted nothing more than to eliminate people who were followers of Christ. To the disciples, he was frightening. So, the beginning of the passage for today picks up in the middle of the full passage of Saul's conversion to Paul as Ananias has asked, politely, about Christ's desire for him to embrace Saul on Christ's behalf. "You want who?" "You want me to go to him and bring him in?" 

"He is my chosen instrument..." Jesus tells him. 

Today, you the ray of hope Christ saw in Paul. Brilliant theologian. Zealous evangelist. Passionate man who sought to grow Christ's church with what little time he had left on earth. Left no stone unturned. Wrote from prison. Wrote while on board a ship. Shipwrecked. Beaten. Paul knew the world and was worldly yet was totally committed to Christ. A true follower who was leading by example.

Had it been left to us, he would have never been chosen. Who are today's Pauls that are out there? They don't blend in. They may be alienating themselves through behavior, through what they say, or through what they profess. Paul was clearly known and feared. 

Pray for the outcast. Pray for the heathen. Pray for the persecutors who may turn through our prayer by an act of the Spirit exemplified by you or me. Pray that their hostility may turn to zealous behavior for Christ. Pray that God use us to help the least of these where a Paul might be within.