Saul spent a lot of time threatening and killing early Christians. He was an intelligent religious leader who thought he was doing the right thing. On the road to Damascus, Saul saw a great light, came into contact with Jesus, and was transformed from a murderer to one of the most amazing men in history. The fact is, when we come into contact with the source, we are forever changed. We get caught up in our daily lives, doing what we think is right, working jobs we hate, chasing our neighbor's dreams, and hoping we can get to our next paycheck. I'm certainly guilty of this. But, when I encounter the source; when I reach out to God and invite him into my life, all the worries about tomorrow seem to fade away. When I dive into his word, the Word of God, I see truth. When I seek God, I find him. God gave us various ways to encounter him on a daily basis. Last week we talked about coming together. We learned how we encounter God when we are around a group of believers. This week we learned that the source is also revealed to us through reading God's Word, the Bible. In the Bible we find an invitation to experience God. We have the opportunity, whenever we want, to get to know God. When we go to that book, seeking him, we are bound to find him. And, when we encounter God, like Saul Paul, we will be transformed. What would it look like if we removed the veil from our eyes, and saw the world for what it truly is, the way God sees it, everyday? What if we saw the potential in people, instead of their faults? What if we tried to love people, instead of try to be like them? What if we spent everyday trying to help people, instead of trying to help ourselves? The more time we spend with God, I believe, the more these things will become the desires of our heart. The more time we spend in the Word, the more opportunities God has to use us. The more we seek him, the more he will reveal to us.
Hebrews 4:12 (NLT) For the word of God is alive and powerful. It is sharper than the sharpest two-edged sword, cutting between soul and spirit, between joint and marrow. It exposes our innermost thoughts and desires.
When we encounter God, we will be transformed. As Blake said this past Sunday, a meaningful life is a life connected to the source. Do you want God to use you? Do you want to feel his peace and experience his love? Seek him, and allow yourself to be transformed. Come join us this Sunday as we wrap up our series on The Source.
Psalm 119:105 (NLT) Your word is a lamp to guide my feet and a light for my path.