Appointed and Chosen

“Brethren and fathers, hear my defense which I now offer to you.” And when they heard that he was addressing them in the Hebrew dialect, they became even more quiet; and he *said, “I am a Jew, born in Tarsus of Cilicia, but brought up in this city, educated under Gamaliel, strictly according to the law of our fathers, being zealous for God just as you all are today. I persecuted this Way to the death, binding and putting both men and women into prisons, as also the high priest and all the Council of the elders can testify. From them I also received letters to the brethren, and started off for Damascus in order to bring even those who were there to Jerusalem as prisoners to be punished. “But it happened that as I was on my way, approaching Damascus about noontime, a very bright light suddenly flashed from heaven all around me, and I fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to me, ‘Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?’ And I answered, ‘Who are You, Lord?’ And He said to me, ‘I am Jesus the Nazarene, whom you are persecuting.’ And those who were with me saw the light, to be sure, but did not understand the voice of the One who was speaking to me. And I said, ‘What shall I do, Lord?’ And the Lord said to me, ‘Get up and go on into Damascus, and there you will be told of all that has been appointed for you to do.’ But since I could not see because of the brightness of that light, I was led by the hand by those who were with me and came into Damascus. “A certain Ananias, a man who was devout by the standard of the Law, and well spoken of by all the Jews who lived there, came to me, and standing near said to me, ‘Brother Saul, receive your sight!’ And at that very time I looked up at him. And he said, ‘The God of our fathers has appointed you to know His will and to see the Righteous One and to hear an utterance from His mouth. For you will be a witness for Him to all men of what you have seen and heard.” Acts‬ ‭22‬:‭1‬-‭15

‬This passage is Paul’s testimony. How he was raised, the walk he had taken, his conversion, and how he was sent out.

Appointed – Strong’s G5021 – tassō to place in a certain order, to arrange, to assign a place, to appoint; To assign (appoint) a thing to one

Chosen – Strong’s G4400 – procheirizō – to put into the hand, to deliver into one’s hands, to set before oneself, to purpose, to determine; with an accusative of the person to choose some a colon to a point

Thou shalt know – Strong’s G1097 – ginōskō – to know, understand, perceive, have knowledge of

Will – Strong’s G2307 – thelēma – what one wishes or has determined shall be done; the purpose of God to bless mankind through Christ

As I reflect on this passage I look back and understand Paul was in Jerusalem and had been placed in chains in the temple. He was being taken away by the Roman soldiers. He asked to speak and that is when he began to address the people in Hebrew. Paul took the opportunity to connect with the people where they were, but also tell of his own testimony. He told of his conversion at the road to Damascus, then his healing, appointment, and God’s call on his life. We all have a moment of conversion, despite our past actions. We all are called to share our testimony to the people around us.

Paul used this opportunity he was given to speak of Jesus. He shared of how he saw the light, came to realize what he was doing was wrong, and how God healed him, and called him to his purpose. As a follower of Christ I have to look for the opportunities. It would have been easy for Paul to skip the chance since he was in chains. He could have felt he missed the mark, but Paul saw the divine opportunity. Often times as Christians we tell our testimony, but Paul made a point to connect himself to them. ” I am a Jew. I trained under a lead rabbi. I follow the law. I’m like you.” It is easier for people to hear us when we start where they are, when we make a connection.

Then verse 6 says “but…”. We all have a but God story. That moment Jesus made himself real to us and showed us our sin. Then like Paul, we have to walk out of the darkness in blind faith. We connect with others, as he did with Ananias, and we learn what to do next. We have to walk in the light and into God’s will for our lives.

In meditating on this, I realize I often don’t utilize divine opportunities. I might not even look at it that way, especially if it is big like Paul addressing all those people, the Roman soldiers and the Jews alike. I will step out if asked but would likely shrink back once the cuffs were put on me.

I have learned through public speaking and in my education to build rapport and try to find common ground before trying to influence people. There are times I don’t; I can see it is less effective.

I believe, as Revelation 12:11 reminds us, that our testimony is one of the most powerful weapons we have against the enemy. It can often provide hope to those we are ministering to during their darkest times. It points to Christ and the amazing things He can do with a life surrendered.

Paul had to walk it out. At times I just want the heavens to open up in a divine call, but even if that happened, I still have to walk it out. I have to be obedient. I have to take the steps. I have to as the Minister Dr J. David Stevens said in Best Practices of Ministry, “fill my shoes. I have to walk it out and I have people alongside me to help me along the way. I sense I need to walk out the things God has already placed inside me.

Heavenly Father, I know I often miss divine opportunities either because I am not looking or because I fail to step out when it arises. I ask for Your forgiveness and pray that You would help me to do better. Thank You for teaching me to meet people where they are and allowing me to minister hope to people in their darkest time. Lord I also know I struggle at times to step out. I know I have to choose to walk out things You have placed within me. Help me to do better and be obedient when I hear Your voice. Lord help me to fill the shoes You have given me.