July 4, 2021- As a human, we can recall that event, that moment, that changed us. That moment either changed us for the better or for the worse. We function by our senses, and we are changed by our society, our environments, our communities, and more. Taking criticisms, and listening to the media and leaders alike, morphs us even more. So what happens when God calls? How do you change? Let's start with my testimony. While I have a family and was raised by my mother along with my brothers, I felt completely alone. I felt that I was the black sheep. I woke up early, they woke up late. I looked for friends, but they already had some. I abandoned people I liked and that were close to me.
I was confused, heartbroken, and alone particularly when my father moved to Mexico. I knew it was for a job offer, but what I didn't know, was that as a plant manager, all of his jobs were basically outsourced. As a result, my father went to Mexico, and we remained in the northeastern part of the United States. I wouldn't see him for 13 years. The next time that I would see him, it would be shortly before his funeral.
Raised Catholic, I never believed that God was real. Effectively and realistically, I was Atheist. Like many Atheists, my thought was If God is real, why do so many bad things happen? Wars, crime, family abandonment. I believed in nothing, not even myself. A few people tried reaching out to me to speak about God, and the salvation that He brings through His Son, Jesus Christ. I denied every single one of them from childhood to adulthood. If you are still reading this, chances are you are doing this, or you have done this too.
In the New Testament, the Bible speaks to a man named Saul (Acts 8). Some time after the crucifixion of Jesus, and His Resurrection, there was "a great persecution against the church which was at Jerusalem" (Acts 8:1). After the execution of Stephen (a helper of the disciples), Saul entered into the homes and committed both men and women of the church to prison. The people of the church scattered to preach the gospel (Acts 8:4), but Saul sent letters to the synagogues in Damascus saying that if he comes across any that believe in God and Jesus, he will bring people bounded back to Jerusalem.
However, on his way to Damascus, Saul had that moment that would change him forever. The Bible says, "and suddenly there shined round about him a light from Heaven: And he fell to the earth, and heard a voice." (Acts 9:3-4). The voice was Jesus Christ calling out to him asking Saul, "why persecutest thou me." Saul asked who called to him and Jesus said that "I am Jesus whom thou persecutest: it is hard for the thee to kick against the pricks." (Acts 9:5).
The men with Saul were shocked, because they heard Him too, but they didn't see any man standing there. Being blinded by the light from Heaven, they led Saul to Damascus. For three days, Saul was blind, and did not eat or drink anything.
Meanwhile, Jesus called to a disciple named Ananias and told him to go to Saul so "that he might receive his sight" (Acts 9:12). Anansis was hesitant to say the least. He had heard of Saul's reputation, and what he was charged with by the chief priests. But Jesus encouraged him, and Anansis went to Saul and laid his hands on him, explaining that he was sent by Jesus, "that thou mightest receive thy sight, and be filled with the Holy Ghost."
Saul was baptized and began to preach the gospel. In Acts 13:9, we learn that he was also called Paul. Paul would go on to write many of the books in the New Testament. While I did not commit violence to Christians, I did ignore them and tell them to go away throughout a majority of my life. Just like Saul, once Jesus called, I would become a preacher.
God has continued to bless me even in the bad times, and the good times. Blessings come in many forms. Sometimes, these are very obvious from the start. Other times, it may take some time for you to think and realize that something you went through was a blessing.
So what happens when God calls? When He does, you will know it. Be aware that no one "comes to the Father except through me [Jesus]" (John 14:6). If you made it through this, He is calling you now, and you are about to find out just what happens when He calls.
Peace to you my brothers and my sisters.
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