The apostle Paul traveled thousands of miles sharing the gospel, but his life and purpose was not always for Christ. Most of his early life was spent working against Christ. Paul shares about that change in the first chapter of his letter to the believers in the region of Galatia:
For you have heard of my former manner of life in Judaism, how I used to persecute the church of God beyond measure and tried to destroy it; and I was advancing in Judaism beyond many of my contemporaries among my countrymen, being more extremely zealous for my ancestral traditions. But when God, who had set me apart even from my mother’s womb and called me through His grace, was pleased to reveal His Son in me so that I might preach Him among the Gentiles, I did not immediately consult with flesh and blood, nor did I go up to Jerusalem to those who were apostles before me; but I went away to Arabia, and returned once more to Damascus.
Then three years later I went up to Jerusalem to become acquainted with Cephas, and stayed with him fifteen days. But I did not see any other of the apostles except James, the Lord’s brother. (Now in what I am writing to you, I assure you before God that I am not lying.) Then I went into the regions of Syria and Cilicia. I was still unknown by sight to the churches of Judea which were in Christ; but only, they kept hearing, “He who once persecuted us is now preaching the faith which he once tried to destroy.” And they were glorifying God because of me. (Galatians 1:13-24, NASB)
God grabbed Paul, changed his life 180 degrees, and used his life to reach the Gentiles. Like Paul, I’m sure you have your own story of life before Christ. There probably was a point in time you were living the life you wanted “but when God” (v. 15) got ahold of you He changed you and turned your life in a different direction.
Take a moment and think about your story. When did God get ahold of you? When did He change your life? God is the source of your story, just like Paul. Here are four tips to show the source in your story:
1. Accept your story. Don’t hide it and don’t be ashamed of it. It is part of who you are and it is part of God’s plan for your life. Be willing to share it with others.
2. Look for the “but God” moment. When and where did God insert Himself into your life? (Just like Paul had when God showed up in his life.) You might have to think about it, but I am confident you have one.
3. Explain and show how God changed you. Or at least explain how God is changing you. For me, it was anger. I often struggled to control my anger, but when I got saved that changed drastically.
4. Share it with love. Don’t argue, lecture, preach, or condemn. Simply tell your story with love for the other person. It is hard for people to argue with you about a story. If you share facts and details, they can debate you. So share your story with them and let God work in their hearts.
All of us have a “but God” moment when God inserted Himself into our lives. Let’s go out this week and show the source in our story.