When the people of first-century Jerusalem looked at Saul of Tarsus, they saw a man filled with
unbridled spiritual ambition. Many of his fellow Pharisees must have looked at Saul with some suspicion. Was he just trying to
climb the ladder and enhance his image? Was he too filled with
anger and hatred to be an effective religious leader? Whatever their concerns, these other Pharisees also saw in Saul a valuable ally and tool in their goal of squashing the new and dangerous religious sect we now call Christianity.
This is the man whom we honor today as a spiritual giant. So it stands to reason that if God can touch and use Saul of Tarsus, then there is hope for us!
What do you see when you look in the mirror? What do other people see? More importantly, what does Jesus see?
When the world looked at Simon Peter, they saw a hotheaded fisherman, but Jesus saw the “rock” for his church.
When the world looked at Saul, they saw an ambitious, aggressive, perhaps even violent man, but** Jesus saw an apostle, a missionary, and a mystic. **
Do you want to know your full potential? Then don’t listen to the limitations others impose on you. Stop looking at the mirror and start looking to Jesus, in whom you can do all things. Don’t let the devil discourage you with images of how far you have yet to go. Don’t let the world intimidate you when you try to rise above the status quo. And don’t let your fallen nature win the war within you.
The people who were with Paul on the day of his conversion saw the light of Jesus but didn’t hear his voice.
Jesus’ call is universal, but the response he demands is personal. What is God calling you to do? Who is he calling you to be? How will you respond? God sustained Paul in grace, but Paul put forth an intense effort as well. Ask God for the same gift of perseverance. In Christ, it will lead to glory!
“Lord Jesus, I give you my heart, my mind, my soul, and my strength. Fill me with zeal and perseverance. St. Paul, pray for me as well. Like you, I want to be like Jesus.”
