Galatians 1:11-24
For I want you to know, brothers and sisters, that the gospel that was proclaimed by me is not of human origin, for I did not receive it from a human source, nor was I taught it, but I received it through a revelation of Jesus Christ. You have heard, no doubt, of my earlier life in Judaism. I was violently persecuting the church of God and was trying to destroy it. I advanced in Judaism beyond many among my people of the same age, for I was far more zealous for the traditions of my ancestors. But when the one who had set me apart before I was born and called me through his grace was pleased to reveal his Son to me, so that I might proclaim him among the gentiles, I did not confer with any human, nor did I go up to Jerusalem to those who were already apostles before me, but I went away at once into Arabia, and afterward I returned to Damascus. Then after three years I did go up to Jerusalem to visit Cephas and stayed with him fifteen days, but I did not see any other apostle except James the Lord’s brother. In what I am writing to you, before God, I do not lie! Then I went into the regions of Syria and Cilicia, and I was still unknown by sight to the churches of Judea that are in Christ; they only heard it said, “The one who formerly was persecuting us is now proclaiming the faith he once tried to destroy.” And they glorified God because of me. Galatians 1:11-24 (NRSVUE)
Over and over again in the Bible, we see God using people that we may not expect to do His work. Paul is no different. In this passage, Paul is justifying to the Galatian church why the Word he is preaching is not his own, but that from God through Jesus. In fact, Paul once spoke against Christianity and God used him to preach the Gospel in the early Church.
As Paul says in verse 15, “he was set apart before he was born”. We are all created in God’s image, and before we are born, God has a plan for us. No matter if we stray from God’s path, or whether we even have gone as far as to preach against God, we are still not lost in God’s eyes. He continues to have a plan for us and continues to work through us.
We are now a couple weeks into the new year. Resolutions have been set and by now, likely forgotten about. But, God’s plan for us is never forgotten, His plan for us continues, even when we fall short. He continues to work for us, even when we stray. Thanks be to God!
Questions for Reflection:
- Looking back, have you experienced a time when God was working, even when you may have been straying?
- Where can you see God at work in your life right now?
Prayer:
Ever present God, thank you for always being there for us, even when we stray. You are always at work, and your work is always good. Amen
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