Acts 13:13-25
Preaching in the Antioch synagogue, Paul traced the history of God’s chosen people, culminating in Jesus of Nazareth. Pivotal in his account was Jesus’ ancestor, King David, “a man after my own heart [who] will carry out my every wish” (Acts 13:22). What a testimonial!
Of course, many more things could be said of David: shepherd, psalmist, warrior, man of integrity, adulterer, forgiven sinner, founder of a dynasty. Yet how much is conveyed in the simple description given above!
A preacher once said: “The world has yet to see what God can do with one person fully yielded to him.” A young listener resolved, “By the grace of God, I’ll be that person!” He went on to become a great evangelist.
Not all of us are called to be kings, government officials, or renowned preachers, but each of us is essential to the establishment of God’s kingdom on earth.
- Although the omnipotent God does not need us,
- each of us is indispensable to him.
- And each of us can resolve, by the grace of God, to be a person close to his heart, eager to carry out his every wish.
- Some of God’s desires are universal.
- He wants every person on earth to know, love, and serve him.
- He wants everyone to reject sin so as to live in the freedom of God’s children.
- He wants everyone to develop a personal friendship with Jesus, nourished by prayer, Scripture, the sacraments, and the Christian community.
But God also has specific plans for each of us—plans that he wants to reveal to us.
- That’s why it’s a good idea to begin each day by listening quietly to your heavenly Father.
- What does he want for you today?
- Where is he sending you as his agent?
- What word would he have you feed on and share with someone who needs his love?
- God doesn’t expect us to become completely his overnight. His image, imparted to us at conception and cleansed in baptism,
- grows day by day as we love him and seek to follow him.
- Insight by insight,
- correction by correction,
- obedient choice by obedient choice,
- we become more fully the individuals the Father created us to be.
“Father, with all my heart I want to be a person after your own heart. I long to carry out your every wish. Light up my path today so I can see what would please you.”
