If I'm being honest, I can't claim to know a lot about Paul. What I do know, at this point, I'm sure any kid in Sunday School could tell you. Long story short, Paul, originally Saul, was a Pharisee who condemned the church, encountered God, was converted to Christianity, became a missionary, wrote some wicked good letters to get Churches in line, and then was killed* (*more or less, this is the Savannah's abridged version).
So why then did I decide to learn about Paul, read the books he wrote, and blog about it? To start, I had a small break down about growing up. I'm about to move to a new state with roommates that seem nice but that I don't really know, start my first real job, and leave behind the place that was my home for the past four years. And last night all of the adult real world was just too much. So I cried a bit, prayed a bit, a reached out to my closest friends, and they reminded me that being scared means its something worth doing, that I am not alone in my fears of starting over, and that God is constantly growing my faith to new heights.
And as I sat in church this morning God reminded me, as He often does, that He provides for me manna daily, just as He did for the Israelites. And through His word, Paul spoke to me in Ephesians as "a prisoner in the Lord, beg you to lead a life worthy of the calling to which you have been called" {Ephesians 4:1} and I realized that I want to beg to lead a life worthy of my calling and not be scared to trust in God as I take the next step. And so as I walk in this new transition I am going to do it with God and Paul, because Paul sets and example of how I want to unabashedly follow God, and his words will call me out in love when I don't want to face the truth myself.
So who is this Paul guy that's headed with me to Maryland???
*disclaimer I actually did some research so this isn't the Sav abridged version
Paul was really a man of many places which I relate with a lot (10 moves and counting in 22 years). He was by racial ancestry an Israelite, by citizenship he was a Roman, by religion he followed Judaism, but he was born and raised Greek. Paul to say the very least had a lot going on. He was sent to Jerusalem for his formal education and attended one of the most prominent rabbinical schools of his time and learned under the most outstanding rabbi teacher Gamaliel. (I have to say I find it funny that even back then the schools had distinctions, I imagine Paul fretting over his school decision very much like we do now, and being so revealed to receive his acceptance to their generations Yale - however I'm not even sure if they had to apply, that's just how I see it in my mind).
With this upbringing Paul, at that point Saul, was instilled with a fervent hatred of Christ and his followers. He sought out the high priest for authority to go to Damascus for the sole purpose of arresting followers of Christ. But that's where God had a different plan. It was on the trip that God called Paul to lead a life that was to God's calling". And so on the path there he genuinely encountered the Holy Spirit and God grew his faith to new heights in that moment and continued to do so for the rest of his life.
That, that is encouragement to me. Paul was so sure of what his life looked like, he had attended the right school, with the right teachers, and was off on this path, but God never gives up on us even when we are so far away. He steps into our paths and makes us encounter the Holy Spirit. And I feel that's what He did with me this summer. I was adrift in the limbo of a post grad summer off, and had come to the end of my list of projects and errands, and finally broke down before the Lord and said I'm scared, I am so terrified of what is next and He just surrounded me with the Holy Spirit and told me that He always continues to walk with me, even when it is scary and hard and lonely, for example when you feel you are fighting for friendship.
Today one of my good friends from college had a birthday. We participated in the same bible study for three years, lived together for two, had heart filled talks in the middle of campus, and yet we haven't talked all summer. And while that seems odd any previous summer it wouldn't have been a big deal, we would catch up where we left off when school started again. But this time it matters because in adulthood you have to work for friendship. And maybe (very hopefully) this friendship will last, but how many other friendships won't.
But God also gave me some incredible joy today as I had the chance to talk to one of my amazing friends who is in the armed forces yesterday, and we discussed how its hard because some people haven't grasped the idea that school isn't coming back around. That we can't just grab coffee when we get back. That we have to start fighting for our friendships, And its not fun but when they matter we have too. But just hearing her voice, laughing about anything and nothing at the same time, as cliche as it sounds that's what I needed this week. And I guess in life post grad I am finally starting to get that I am truly responsible for my friendships. Lesson 1 of many.
*disclaimer I actually did some research so this isn't the Sav abridged version
Paul was really a man of many places which I relate with a lot (10 moves and counting in 22 years). He was by racial ancestry an Israelite, by citizenship he was a Roman, by religion he followed Judaism, but he was born and raised Greek. Paul to say the very least had a lot going on. He was sent to Jerusalem for his formal education and attended one of the most prominent rabbinical schools of his time and learned under the most outstanding rabbi teacher Gamaliel. (I have to say I find it funny that even back then the schools had distinctions, I imagine Paul fretting over his school decision very much like we do now, and being so revealed to receive his acceptance to their generations Yale - however I'm not even sure if they had to apply, that's just how I see it in my mind).
With this upbringing Paul, at that point Saul, was instilled with a fervent hatred of Christ and his followers. He sought out the high priest for authority to go to Damascus for the sole purpose of arresting followers of Christ. But that's where God had a different plan. It was on the trip that God called Paul to lead a life that was to God's calling". And so on the path there he genuinely encountered the Holy Spirit and God grew his faith to new heights in that moment and continued to do so for the rest of his life.
That, that is encouragement to me. Paul was so sure of what his life looked like, he had attended the right school, with the right teachers, and was off on this path, but God never gives up on us even when we are so far away. He steps into our paths and makes us encounter the Holy Spirit. And I feel that's what He did with me this summer. I was adrift in the limbo of a post grad summer off, and had come to the end of my list of projects and errands, and finally broke down before the Lord and said I'm scared, I am so terrified of what is next and He just surrounded me with the Holy Spirit and told me that He always continues to walk with me, even when it is scary and hard and lonely, for example when you feel you are fighting for friendship.
Today one of my good friends from college had a birthday. We participated in the same bible study for three years, lived together for two, had heart filled talks in the middle of campus, and yet we haven't talked all summer. And while that seems odd any previous summer it wouldn't have been a big deal, we would catch up where we left off when school started again. But this time it matters because in adulthood you have to work for friendship. And maybe (very hopefully) this friendship will last, but how many other friendships won't.
But God also gave me some incredible joy today as I had the chance to talk to one of my amazing friends who is in the armed forces yesterday, and we discussed how its hard because some people haven't grasped the idea that school isn't coming back around. That we can't just grab coffee when we get back. That we have to start fighting for our friendships, And its not fun but when they matter we have too. But just hearing her voice, laughing about anything and nothing at the same time, as cliche as it sounds that's what I needed this week. And I guess in life post grad I am finally starting to get that I am truly responsible for my friendships. Lesson 1 of many.
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