(Begin with 1-2 minutes of silence)
Without a careful review, some may read all about Paul’s life in the New Testament and determine he was a workaholic. While it may appear he knew God had a calling for his life and he was determined to fulfill this calling no matter what, the reality is that Paul methodically surrendered his own desires in order to fulfill the calling God had for his life. He wasn’t a workaholic. Instead, his life was one with emotional and spiritual brokenness, hunger, beatings, and shipwrecks. If anybody could have ever said, How can a good God let this many bad things happen to a person? It could have been Paul.
But Paul was able to see the larger picture. He was able to acknowledge that his current circumstances were temporary. He was able to return to God quietly in prayer again and again and again in order to more fully understand the heart of God.
Paul’s life story reveals that he didn’t want God to be more transformed into his likeness. Instead, he deeply and sincerely welcomed God to transform him more into His likeness. As a result of his spiritual transformation, Paul was able to set aside his desires in order to fulfill the calling God had for his life.
READING & PRAYERS:
2 CORINTHIANS 11:21-30 (also read the commentary notes in your Study Bible of choice.)
QUESTION: What steps are you taking to more fully understand the heart of God? What may you need to set aside/surrender in order to more intentionally fulfill your purpose?
DIGGING DEEPER: Embrace up to five minutes of silence at least three different times throughout the day today. As you embrace these opportunities for silence, identify where and how God is currently working deep within you.
Take a Step: Practice listening to God by utilizing the One Minute Pause app at least twice a day.
PRAYER: Heavenly Father, I acknowledge there are some things I don’t want to set aside in order to more fully live out Your purpose. I don’t want to set aside my favorite book or tv show in order to return to You in prayer again and again and again to better know Your heart. But I’m beginning to realize I need to set aside good things for something even greater. Continue to help me become more like You. Amen.
(End with 1-2 minutes of silence.)
south ridge blog 