Memories or Ministry?

In 2 Corinthians 12:7, Paul speaks of a thorn in the flesh. Many have guessed what that is since scripture is not definitive and believe it may have been his poor vision. But what if it was something totally different—something we all have to deal with? What if it was memories? Memories from before he was “saved”—transformed on the road to Damascus.

In Acts 7:58, we see that Paul while he was still known as Saul, was present at the stoning death of Stephen. He must have been a young man as he was given the task of watching the coats, but had to have been pleased with the whole act as he continued on into his adult life persecuting followers of Christ.

In Acts 9:1-2, we find Saul “breathing out murderous threats against the Lords disciples” only moments before he has his encounter with the Lord.

Paul led a terrible life before he met the Lord and may have been directly responsible for many Christians being sent to prison or killed. Memories—memories he could never erase but would have to live with forever.

But what happens to Saul after his meeting with the living God, with his vision of Jesus directly into heaven itself? His life is forever changed—just like yours and mine when we accept Jesus as our Savior. Paul had the most powerful ministry of anyone in history other than Jesus himself! Paul is the primary writer of the New Testament. MILLIONS of people have been saved through the years because of Paul’s ministry. And he did it AFTER living a life that was totally devoted to the destruction of the church and Gods people.

I know what it is to have some bad memories of things I have done, people I have hurt, regrets….I have a boat load. In 2 Corinthians 12:7 it says Paul was given a thorn in the flesh, “a messenger of Satan”. Think about it—who is it that brings back bad memories and tries to condemn us of for past? Satan!

Paul pleaded for relief just like we do, to be able to forget the things of our past. But God spoke to Paul and said, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.”

So, where are you with the regrets of the past? Are you struggling with what was, with Satan’s messenger or has Gods grace relieved you of those burdens and freed you to ministry?  If God would use a man like Paul to do such a tremendous work for His glory, why not you and me?

Is God’s grace sufficient for you today? – Steve Schmidt serves on the full-time America’s Keswick staff and is a graduate of the Colony of Mercy

Daily Bible Reading: Joshua 22-24; Luke 18:24-43

Quote of the day: One of the essential paradoxes of Advent: that while we wait for God, we are with God all along ,that while we need to be reassured of God’s arrival, or the arrival of our homecoming, we are already at home. While we wait, we have to trust, to have faith, but it is God’s grace that gives us that faith. As with all spiritual knowledge, two things are true, and equally true, at once. The mind can’t grasp paradox; it is the knowledge of the soul.  Michelle Blake

Verse to Memorize: “Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain.” 1 Corinthians 15:58