A Thought

“I was not disobedient to the heavenly vision, but declared first to those in Damascus and in Jerusalem and throughout all the region of Judea and then to the Gentiles, that they should repent, turn to God, and do works befitting repentance.”  Acts 26:19-20

St. Paul is recounting his own conversion when he came “face to face” with the Lord in a vision in which he was questioned about his persecution of the Church.  In this vision, Paul was also given his charge for ministry.  A key element of this vision, however, must always be remembered: Paul had been struck blind.  It was only in his moment of weakness that he was enabled to completely surrender to the Lord and the Lord’s own “vision” of what was to be accomplished for the Kingdom of Heaven in Paul’s witness.

At Charge Conference we discussed the need not only for a genuine ministry plan but also the need for a vision of what we believe our charge to be as the Church and not necessarily what we would like to accomplish.  It is only in moments of sincere repentance and doing works “befitting repentance” that we can truly appreciate what we are called to do.  And if we believe we have nothing from which to repent, I would suggest we are not looking closely enough at our lives within the Lord, the Covenant, and the Church.

It must be remembered that a truly Divine Vision is not going to take us away from the Church!  Those justified before the Lord are not only called to be “at” church; we are called to BE the Church!  A genuine vision from Above is going to build up the Church.  It will not guarantee success, at least not as we understand success, but we can be assured that working earnestly for the Lord in faith will bring rewards we cannot begin to imagine!

We need not wait until we are stricken with calamity but if this is what it will take to draw us closer to our Lord, then, Lord, let it be so!  And soon!

Blessings,

Michael