Timothy is telling us that Paul, who was a blasphemer, a persecutor and an arrogant man has been changed through the grace of God. I think the question most of us have is wondering why people act the way Paul (Saul) had. Really??? Was he ignorant and how can any of us judge another’s unbelief? None of us can completely answer these questions about another BUT all of us can pray that peace and grace from God will enter the hearts of all human beings. For Christians, life on this earth is all about our inheritance of life everlasting with God. “The Lord who counsels me” is all about our prayer life and God’s relationship with us. I’ve always believed that God wants goodness in our lives, even through the struggles and uncertainties that come our way. If we remember to take refuge and go to God with these struggles and uncertainties God does “show me the path to life”. What a reminder of our need to remain humble, even with our success and accomplishments in this life. Luke’s Gospel is a reminder, to me. about how vulnerable we can be in feeling that we are superior and therefore our decisions and actions are superior to another. While we do need to be confident of our ability to use God’s gifts we must remain vigilant NOT to use these gifts in a way that causes hurt, shame, exclusion or disregard for others. To be true to God’s teachings we need to be true to ourselves-with our gifts and with our shortcomings, then we may be able to humbly live our lives seeing life, not only from our own eyes BUT also through the eyes of our fellow human beings. And in living this life, truly praying for grace, mercy and peace from God. |