Most people know of astronaut Mae Jemison. She is one of 15 African American astronauts. Also in 2009, NASA chose Charles Bolden as the first African American administrator. Each astronaut works to keep America first in space travel. Just as NASA carefully selects astronauts for space travel, God selects people for missions. God chose Saul of Tarsus for his mission. We remember that Saul was Christ’s enemy until he had that life-changing experience on the road to Damascus. He discovered that Jesus of Nazareth, who he thought was a fraud, was instead the Son of God. After getting Saul’s attention with a light from heaven, Jesus said to him, “I am Jesus, the one you are persecuting! Now get up and go to the city, and you will be told what to do.” The Lord then spoke to Ananias, a disciple who lived in Damascus. God told him to tell Saul that God had chosen him to implement a three-fold mission: Saul was to take God’s message to the Gentiles, to kings, and to the people of Israel. God further said that while he was fulfilling this mission, he would learn what it meant to suffer for the Lord. We rejoice that Saul—who chose to use the name Paul—fulfilled his mission. He said at the end of his life, “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, and I have remained faithful.” Like Paul, each child of God should aim to finish his or her God-given mission. Acts of the Apostles 9:10-18 NLT Now there was a believer in Damascus named Ananias. The Lord spoke to him in a vision, calling, “Ananias!” “Yes, Lord!” he replied. The Lord said, “Go over to Straight Street, to the house of Judas. When you get there, ask for a man from Tarsus named Saul. He is praying to me right now. I have shown him a vision of a man named Ananias coming in and laying hands on him so he can see again.” “But Lord,” exclaimed Ananias, “I’ve heard many people talk about the terrible things this man has done to the believers in Jerusalem! And he is authorized by the leading priests to arrest everyone who calls upon your name.” But the Lord said, “Go, for Saul is my chosen instrument to take my message to the Gentiles and to kings, as well as to the people of Israel. And I will show him how much he must suffer for my name’s sake.” So Ananias went and found Saul. He laid his hands on him and said, “Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus, who appeared to you on the road, has sent me so that you might regain your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit.” Instantly something like scales fell from Saul’s eyes, and he regained his sight. Then he got up and was baptized.
Posted on: Thu, 20 Mar 2014 13:23:41 +0000
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