don't assume it's all you

Today in the One Year Bible, we are reminded of something very important. The reading is from Acts 9:1-25. Paul is going from town to town, trying to stamp out this new cult called Christianity. In case you wondered, his name wasn't changed from Saul to Paul when he became a Christian. He was actually called both Saul and Paul all of his life, just in two different languages. Unlike someone like Abraham or Peter, whose names were actually changed.

But as Paul is traveling around trying to stop these Christians, Jesus literally knocks him off his horse. He gets his attention in a very direct way, and causes him to convert to Christianity himself. Notice how gentle He is, though, by asking "Why are you persecuting Me?" instead of saying "Stop persecuting Me or you'll die!" like we might expect.

Then God tells the guy in the next town to meet up with Paul and take away his blindness. Notice that neither of them had anything to do with what happened to the other. It was God working in each of their lives, bringing them together to accomplish His will.

And that's what He does in our lives, too. Sometimes you feel like it's all you, right? That YOU have to go out and save the world. That YOU have to make the difference in the lives of those around you. And yes, we DO have a responsibility to do what we can.

But you're not in this alone. God is already working in the lives of those around you. He's getting them ready for what you'll say. He's giving you the words that they need to hear. He's at work all around and through you, causing His will to be accomplished.

So don't worry. Just participate.

God, thanks for working in us, through us, and around us. Help us participate in Your work.