God May Have Other Plans

9 May

Saul, still breathing murderous threats against the disciples of the Lord,
went to the high priest and asked him
for letters to the synagogues in Damascus, that,
if he should find any men or women who belonged to the Way,
he might bring them back to Jerusalem in chains.  (Acts 9:1-2)

They say “the road to hell is paved with good intentions.”  Just because we think we are doing the right thing does not mean that we, actually, are doing the right thing.

Take a look at St. Paul.

He was a faithful, devout Jew.  He was exemplary in fulfilling the law.  He knew his faith inside and out.  He knew God intimately.

Or, so he thought.

When he went on his murderous rampage against Christians, he did not do so because he felt mean or out-of-sorts.  He did so because he thought Christians, members of the new Way, were a threat to Judaism and an affront to God.  He wanted to do everything that he could do to eliminate the threat from his religion and from his world.

That was his intention and his motive.

Little did he know that he would be persecuting God Himself.

He was shocked to find out.  He found out, by the way, in a manner that could only be from God:  knocked off a horse, blinded by a light, and hearing God Himself speaking to him.

After Ananias was sent to him, Paul realized that God was a loving God who bestowed mercy and love upon all of his people.  God did not judge Paul as being unworthy.  No.  God channeled Paul’s devotion in the right direction.  Paul became a great apostle of the faith, taking the faith to as much of the world as he could.

Paul never would have predicted what would have happened to him.

We may never have predicted what happens to us.

We have to be open to what happens, however, so that God can speak to us and we can respond to Him.

FAITH ACTION:  Are you frustrated because things are not going the way you have intended?  Look deep into what is happening and ask the Lord to reveal Himself and His plan to you.  You may be exactly where He wants you.