As we enter into 2019, full of hopes, aspirations, and plans, remember that our success has less to do with our personal effort and more to do with our alignment with God’s will. We often joke about those failed New Year’s resolutions to go to the gym or finally pursue a business venture, but at some point, we must tighten up and reach the goals ahead of us. Goals that push us closer to God and into the fullness of our purpose should be of utmost importance. From personal experience as well as hearing the testimonies of others, the main obstacles to taking those steps forward tend to be pride in our abilities or the magnification of our sin, causing those debilitating feelings of unworthiness. In both of these cases, God has a way of making the wrong right, if we’re willing to let Him lead. There’s probably no better example of this than Saul, later renamed Paul, a murderer turned apostle, and the writer of some of your favorite scriptures in the Bible.

Saul, for those who may not know, was a persecutor of those who believed in Jesus as our Savior. Saul led the orders to kill men and women who called on the name of Jesus and taught others about the healing powers of the Lord. On his way to Damascus, with the mission of arresting even more believers, Jesus stopped him in his tracks and confronted Saul about why he continued to persecute His Church (the believers). Telling Saul to continue onto Damascus, Saul got up only to find that he was blind. It was in Damascus that Jesus would perform the miracle that would forever turn Saul, the murderer and persecutor, into Paul, the apostle, the teacher, and the writer of the majority of the Bible. Jesus used Ananias, a disciple, to be the hands of this miracle.

““Lord,” Ananias answered, “I have heard many reports about this man and all the harm he has done to your holy people in Jerusalem. And he has come here with authority from the chief priests to arrest all who call on your name.””- Acts‬ ‭9:13-14‬ ‭NIV‬‬

When Jesus came to Ananias in a vision to tell him to meet Saul in Damascus and remove the blindness from his eyes, Ananias responded like most of us would. We often cannot see what God does and as a result, we focus on the faults in front of us, rather than the potential for growth that God graces us for. While Ananias knew Saul’s history of violence and hate for the followers of Christ, he humbled himself and took the step to be obedient and meet Saul for the miracle that would take place.

“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 ‭NIV‬‬

As beautiful as it is to see Ananias display not only obedience but also faith in the Word of God, it still doesn’t touch the beauty that was the Lord’s perspective of Saul. Despite his history, the same background that initially concerned Ananias to the point of questioning God’s command, Jesus saw Saul as a mighty man who would be perfect to preach to the Gentiles and show them the saving grace of God. This moment highlights the way God sees us. Even in our faults, our sins, and our hurts, we can still be used for God’s glory. It isn’t that we are perfect or need to be before God comes to us, but rather it’s about us recognizing that God has given us grace to grow up and get back in line. Will we accept the grace and make the change?

“Saul spent several days with the disciples in Damascus. At once he began to preach in the synagogues that Jesus is the Son of God. All those who heard him were astonished and asked, “Isn’t he the man who raised havoc in Jerusalem among those who call on this name? And hasn’t he come here to take them as prisoners to the chief priests?” Yet Saul grew more and more powerful and baffled the Jews living in Damascus by proving that Jesus is the Messiah.” – Acts‬ ‭9:19-22‬ ‭NIV

As Saul demonstrates, once he humbled himself and let God lead his life, God was able to not only change Saul’s life around for the better but completely use his abilities, that were once for evil, to now be an example and proof for others that Jesus is Lord. Similarly, the same talent, ability, and personality that you possess can still be used to make you great for the Lord as well as be an example for those whose lives are attached to you. It is in your testimony, in your walk, and in your character that others will come to believe in the power and love of God (Matthew 5:16).

Moving forward, I pray that you all don’t count yourself out and settle for less than God’s best for you. When things get hard or you feel like you’re unworthy, remember that God can and will use anyone who is willing. I urge you to stay available and allow God’s grace to do its work in you. As you continue to grow and seek out His path for your life, remember to also reach out your hand and extended your grace to others, in obedience to God. It doesn’t matter if others seem unworthy or “bad”, continue to be a light and encourage others so that God can do His perfect work in them too. We all need to be our best this 2019!

Let’s reach a new level together, twenty somethings ❤️