Far off

I spent the richest time with the Lord this morning and I heard Him speak to my heart in a new and fresh way. Tears came to my eyes as I remembered my salvation. In church yesterday, we talked about preparing a way for the Lord to "make the crooked straight and the rough places smooth..." (Luke 3: 1-6). He did that with my life. And my job involves watching the Lord make the crooked high school and middle school kids straight.

In Acts 2, the apostles preach that "the promise (to be saved and to receive the holy spirit) is for you and your children and for all who are far off." He choose not the righteous, but those who are far from Him. In Acts 9, He says this regarding Saul, "This man is my chosen instrument to carry my name to the Gentiles and their kings and before the people of Israel." Why in the hell did he choose Saul? He was a murder and killed Christians. Couldn't He have found anyone else? Someone a little kinder and more civilized? Someone without such a past?

But then I start to think, why did He choose me? Couldn't He have chosen someone else? Someone who is better at Young Life and more gifted? Someone who is more dedicated to seeking His face? That is the beauty of the gospel. He has chosen the most unlikely people to be His. He has chosen me. While I was far off, He chose me and called me by name. And that same offer is available to everyone, even the Saul's of my world.