In Chapter 7 (“Disqualified to Be Chosen”) of The End of Me, Kyle Idleman postulates that most of us want to experience serving God in some way (or serving Him anew) and probably even have some ideas how that ministry would move forward. However, we may feel we’re disqualified to serve either due to something we lack or by circumstances in our life.
Pastor Idleman asks us to take a look at the resume of the apostle Paul, who first appears in Acts 7 as Saul. Saul is present at the stoning of Stephen- and Acts is clear about where Saul’s sentiments lie. Acts 8 states Saul now is a mob leader. Saul “began to destroy the church. Going from house to house, he dragged off both men and women and put them in prison” (8:3). Chapter 9 finds Saul “breathing murderous threats” against the Christians (v.1).
Then, on what Kyle refers to as “the long and blinding road” to Damascus, God goes well beyond knocking Saul off his (high) horse:
“He [God] takes Saul and reinvents him as the leader of the Christian movement, the first evangelist to those outside the Jewish faith, and the first great theologian of Christianity. If anyone was disqualified for leadership, shouldn’t it have been a man who murdered believers and organized search and destroy missions against the church?”
Pastor Idleman says it’s not that Jesus needed Paul. God was sending a message to Paul- and to us. Kyle next takes a look at five reasons we feel disqualified to be chosen and how God’s message counters our misbeliefs.
Today’s question (from Kyle): If money and time were no issue, what would you want God to use you for? Please share.
Tomorrow’s blog: the Christmas Short Meditation- “Arise, shine!”
