“But the Lord said to Ananias, ‘Go! This man is my chosen instrument to proclaim my name to the Gentiles and their kings and to the people of Israel.’”
Acts 9:15
Dear HBIC Family,
This week I am thinking about how for many of us, life is not about one single turning point or one seminal moment. Upon even further reflection, quite often, in these important turning points and moments, most of us are not even aware of the severity of all that is happening. For example, when I left Liberia in 1989, there was no possible way to know that over three decades later, I would still be away from my first home. We learn from the past, live in the present, and hope in God for the future. But in our everyday moments, most of the time, we just don’t know.
Nevertheless, for a few of us, every once in a while, we may know a momentous event as it’s happening. Perhaps it is your decision to follow Jesus, your wedding, or the birth of a child or grandchild. Perhaps it’s a move to a new house, a start of a new job, or finding a church where you feel at home, loved, and part of the family that lovingly serves God and others. In this sense, while I didn’t know how seminal choosing to attend HBIC was at the time, I very much knew that accepting the invitation to serve as Senior Pastor here was momentous. Turning points in our lives are a great reminder of God’s goodness, grace, and great love for us.
I do not know if Saul, the overzealous persecutor of the early followers of Jesus, saw the seminal moments as they happened. Did he hear about Peter’s sermon and did it just enrage him? Did he watch the early Church grow and only see his burning rage grow fierier? Did he witness Stephen’s martyrdom, not just in approval, but also as victory? Did all of this in his mind justify the persecution of the early Christians that he led? I do not know. But what Scripture and Church history teach us is that the Damascus Road changed everything for Saul who became Paul, and for us all who were and who have become the Church of Christ.
This week we will be continuing our Acts: The Church Then and Now series by going back to Damascus Road. Paul’s conversion is a turning point in his life, a seminal moment in the early Church and a remarkable event in the history of the Church that resonates even today. To prepare for this week’s services, I would like to invite you to read and meditate on Acts 9. As you reflect, I would like to ask you to focus on the following questions:
What does this passage say about God (Father, Son, and Holy Spirit)?
What does this passage say about followers of God?
Where was the turning point in your life where God called you to faith?
When did you last hear God’s voice? What was God calling you to do?
I love that our destinies are held by our good God. I love that God is writing our stories and guiding our paths. I love that Jesus is not only our example, but the one who stands before the Father on our behalf. I love that the Holy Spirit now lives in us and works to transform us into Christlikeness as we partner together to make “on earth as it is in heaven.”
Sisters and brothers, we serve a good God who has blessed us with turning points and seminal moments. Our God is also so gracious and loving in our everyday scenes. And our God who showed us, spoke out, and transformed Saul to Paul…is the same God who shows up today, speaks out, and transforms us as well. Praise God from whom all blessings flow.
God bless you all.
Love in Christ,
Pastor Hank (Acts 9:15)