July 30, 2009 - Acts 9:22

“Yet Saul grew more and more powerful and baffled the Jews living in Damascus by proving that Jesus is the Christ.” Acts 9:22.
Saul had been used to opposition and was a trained debater. After all, he had been a Pharisee who “sat at the feet of Gamaliel,” and, by his actions, he seemed to be comfortable with confrontation. After meeting Jesus on the road, Saul was transformed in his heart, yet he still had the gift of being a powerful debater, but this time, on Jesus’ behalf. Very early in his journey with Jesus, Saul would go up to the synagogue to argue and debate with the Jews of Damascus. As this verse shows us, he “grew more and more powerful” is his ability to show that Jesus was the long-awaited Messiah. This gift that was in him, which had been used to disrupt the followers of Jesus, was now being used for Jesus’ purposes.
While Saul was able to grasp and use his gifts quickly, I have noticed, in looking back on my journey with Jesus, that it has taken several years for me to become more aware of God’s gifting in my life. Even though it has taken so much time, I am grateful to have realized some of the gifting that God has given me, and I am continuing to learn and embrace more about His gifting. Instead of looking back in disappointment on the time that I wasn’t using my gifts, I am grateful for His helping me to see how I am gifted, and I am looking forward to His use of them through my life in the future.
Questions to consider: Are you aware of how God has gifted you? What are the gifts you have been given, and how are you using them? How could you use them in the future?
Prayer: Father, thank You for putting me together the way that You did. Help me to see my unique gifting with the same vision that You have for me, and help me to follow through in using these gifts for Your kingdom. Amen.