Worship Series - Interview with Paul 3

I: Would you care to comment on the years following your parenthesis period?

P: Well, as I wrote in my letter to the believers in Rome, the reasonable thing to do when confronted with God's love and all He has done, is offer oneself - body, mind, everything - to Him and become a loving and devoted servant. There is no logical alternative. It is a tangible, exciting form of worship!

I gave myself primarily to spreading the gospel to the Gentiles. I traveled extensively, speaking in synagogues and establishing churches in a variety of cities. Other ministry opportunities also emerged as I went about my Father's work.

I: How did you choose that particular context of service?

P: From the time of my conversion, God made clear to me that He wanted me to spread His gospel to the Gentiles, so that was a "given." God even told Ananias, the first believer I encountered, that I was to reach out to the nonJewish world, so it would have been difficult not to recognize what He intended for me - even though I did not yet know the details of His plan.

I realize that not everyone receives so clear a calling to a specific ministry, but it underscores again the fact that He deals with each of us individually. We dare not box Him in by telling Him how He should tell us what He wants us to do!

In addition to the calling, God equipped me for this task. He gifted me as a leader, an exhorter, a preacher and teacher. He gave me high energy and made me a self-starter. He gave me no family responsibilities, leaving me free to focus fully on my work. These and other factors assured me that I was custom-designed for this ministry.

In fact, every believer is custom-designed for the ministry God intends that person to have!

I: And as you moved forward with this assurance, God gave you uninterrupted success, right?

P: I see that twinkle in your eye! The answer is "No," if you mean success as our world system thinks of it. There were discouraging setbacks in the churches I helped get started. There were also tension-filled disagreements within the ranks.

One argument I will never forget was between Barnabas, my dear friend and encourager, and myself regarding John Mark. John Mark was a young man we had taken on an earlier trip - but he deserted us before we finished. I can't stand quitters, and yet Barnabas wanted to burden us with him again.

I: What happened next?

P: Our conflict of opinion became explosive, and it split us up. Barnabas took Mark on his missionary trip and I took Silas on mine.

I: That sounds like a ministry setback.

P: That's how it felt, too. Actually, however, God used that paroxysm to help spread the work and the Word. It amazes me how creative the Master Craftsman is with clay pots like us!

I: So there were setbacks in churches you helped and setbacks in relationships you had. Anything else?

P: You don't quit either, do you! Yes, there were also setbacks in my physical condition. I was chased, imprisoned, whipped, stoned, left for dead, shipwrecked, and afflicted continuously with a malady for which there was no remedy. I begged God to take it away, but He chose to give me the grace to bear that burden.

I: Well, that about does it for the idea that being a dedicated Christian has the inside track on health, wealth and popularity.... Why did you put up with all that? Weren't you ever tempted to retreat back into the safety and comfort of making tents and just being nice to your neighbors?

P: On a human level, remember that I'm a finisher. When my body wants to quit, my mind says, "Don't even think about it!"

On a much higher level, one that transcends personality or grit, we all need to think beyond the moment. Life on earth is as brief as a blink, compared with the everlasting timelessness of eternity. We all need to redeem our time by giving God the worship of service.

We may not bear the same scars of God's service on our bodies, but we must bear the same marks of His love on our hearts.

Furthermore, our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us. We are heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, and sharing in His sufferings - whatever form that sacrifice make take - is dwarfed in comparison with the glory we will also share with Him in the future.

As we conclude this interview tomorrow, the apostle Paul will offer several very helpful guidelines for every worshiping pilgrim to keep in mind. I invite you to join us again as he helps us consider ways we can express our worship in acceptable service to our Lord.

© 2007 John Garmo. If you would be interested in using this article, please contact us at Info@MissionToChildren.org.