v 12 I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has given me strength to do his work. He considered me trustworthy and appointed me to serve him,
Paul was made conscious of his call to serve God from the day of his conversion. When he was on trial in front of King Agrippa (Acts 26) he explained how God had spoken to him and given him direction for his life and work “I will rescue you from both your own people and the Gentiles. Yes, I am sending you to the Gentiles to open their eyes, so they may turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God. “ From the start of his life of faith in Jesus he had been appointed to serve God by proclaiming the Good News of salvation and acceptance by God through Faith. Many years later when writing to the Christians in Rome he defines himself in these words ‘This letter is from Paul, a slave of Christ Jesus, chosen by God to be an apostle and sent out to preach his Good News.‘ (Romans 1:1) It was not his past history as a strident Jew that defined him, it was his calling and equipping by God to serve that gave his life definition and purpose.
Very few of us are called to serve God in such a public fashion. But for sure, God does both call us to serve Him in some way and also give the grace necessary to fulfil that calling. It matters not one bit whether God calls us to serve Him overseas or at home; in public or quiet personal ministry, or even be a good neighbour among needy people, He has a good purpose for each of us, and strengthens us to fulfil that calling faithfully.
THANK YOU LORD FOR TRUSTING ME TO SERVE YOU IN A NEEDY WORLD, AND GIVING ME THE GRACE TO DO SO FAITHFULLY. AMEN.
—