Galatians 1:11-24 (NRSV)
Read Galatians 1:11-24 on biblegateway.com
Verse 11For I want you to know, brothers and sisters, that the gospel that was proclaimed by me is not of human origin; Verse 12for I did not receive it from a human source, nor was I taught it, but I received it through a revelation of Jesus Christ. Verse 13You have heard, no doubt, of my earlier life in Judaism. I was violently persecuting the church of God and was trying to destroy it. Verse 14I advanced in Judaism beyond many among my people of the same age, for I was far more zealous for the traditions of my ancestors. Verse 15But when God, who had set me apart before I was born and called me through his grace, was pleased Verse 16to reveal his Son to me, so that I might proclaim him among the Gentiles, I did not confer with any human being, Verse 17nor did I go up to Jerusalem to those who were already apostles before me, but I went away at once into Arabia, and afterwards I returned to Damascus. Verse 18Then after three years I did go up to Jerusalem to visit Cephas and stayed with him fifteen days; Verse 19but I did not see any other apostle except James the Lord's brother. Verse 20In what I am writing to you, before God, I do not lie! Verse 21Then I went into the regions of Syria and Cilicia, Verse 22and I was still unknown by sight to the churches of Judea that are in Christ; Verse 23they only heard it said, "The one who formerly was persecuting us is now proclaiming the faith he once tried to destroy." Verse 24And they glorified God because of me.
Devotion
Do you have a good story to tell? Is there a tale in your living that will capture the imagination and attention of others? How is it connected to your encounter with Jesus?
The stereotype is that Lutherans are humble and unassuming, not overly eager to blow our own horns, shy in telling what God has done for us. That’s too bad, because each story of faith and each tale of trusting in our faithful God is a story worth telling.
The secret to getting over our shyness is to focus on the reason our stories are worth telling – that God might be glorified by the hearer. It is worth being noticed by others. It is worth hearing them say, “There is something different about you,” when that difference is the words and deeds of love that connect our living to God’s grace. Who this day will glorify God because of you?
Prayer
Life-changing Lord, work your will in my living today. Let me live fully and confidently within your grace. Utilize what I do in both words and actions to draw the attention of others to you. If there is one gift I would ask of you today, it is to let me hear another say, “Tell me, what is the difference I see in your life?” Amen.