A Lot Like Paul

This past Sunday, our focus was on the Apostle Paul and his conversion from his previous life as Saul.  Saul was a Pharisee of Pharisees.  Paul became a disciple making disciple.  The transformation must have been a sight to see.  Once Saul became Paul, he was unstoppable.  He travelled from place to place introducing people to and encouraging people with Jesus.

I was just looking at my calendar from the past month and a part of me feels a lot like Paul.

Valparaiso – Cincinnati – Valparaiso – Anderson – Cincinnati – Valparaiso – Cincinnati – Valparaiso – Hammond – Valparaiso – St. Joseph Michigan – Valparaiso - Anderson – Valparaiso.  These have been my travel destinations for things I simply can’t do via phone or other electronic communications (like helping people move, going to school, attending/performing funerals, officiating weddings, and attending other special events).  Now, I look forward to another Valparaiso – Cincinnati – Anderson – Valparaiso leg to my travels as we celebrate our daughter’s graduation from Anderson University.  Praise God!

Travelling in and of itself, though, does not make any of us like Paul.  What we do on those trips, however, can make all the difference in the world.  Every connection with every person along the way is what is important.  Paul said “The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love” (Galatians 5:6 NIV).  Whether we travel to a funeral home to share in someone’s sorrow, travel to a wedding to share in their joy, travel to a performance to celebrate their giftedness, or simply travel to their side to share a friendship, we can always live out Paul’s perspective here by expressing our faith through love.  “You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh; rather, serve one another humbly in love. For the entire law is fulfilled in keeping this one command: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself’" (Galatians 5:13-14 NIV).