Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God …
- from Ephesians 1:1
 
Paul carried a strong conviction that God called him to his ministry as an apostle, messenger of God, and ambassador to the nations.
 
Paul wasn’t always an apostle. He wrestled with God and came to faith in Jesus only after much resistance. He “kicked against the goads,” we’re told. And although Paul received a dramatic intervention to turn his life around, he didn’t rely exclusively on his dramatic conversion to justify his calling.
 
Few of us have had dramatic conversion experiences like Paul. Yet we all have experienced God’s intervention in our lives — we are all something “by the will of God.”
 
We can all say that we are who we are in part because of God’s work. He brought the people into our lives who helped us get healthy. He gave us forgiveness that freed us to forgive others. He convicted us of sin and guided us toward holiness. His love for us makes it possible for us to share that love with others.
 
God works actively, daily to shape us into the people he wants us to become. He bends and unbends us. He heals and repairs us. He picks us up and brushes us off and puts our feet back on the solid ground.
 
For Paul, his vocation displayed God’s will. Maybe it does for you too. Or maybe it’s your personal life that displays God’s will. Or your relationships or some significant life choices.
 
How have you seen the will of God shape the course and texture of your life?