I enjoy playing the game of chess. Mostly I compete against a computer program during lunch or when I have 10-15 minutes to spare. Often as the game develops, there is one move which determines the outcome. It’s not necessarily obvious because it may come a third or halfway into the game, not just at the end. But in reviewing a finished game it becomes clear that it was a game-changing moment. In looking back over your life, have you experienced any “game-changing” moments? Some of mine are both sad and happy. For instance, when my dad abandoned our family, when my family struggled for money and moved repeatedly, when I learned how to program a computer, when my lung collapsed, when I met my wife, and when each of our children were born.
My most glorious life change is when I found and followed Jesus. Through Jesus, God has saved me from sin and death and given me new and everlasting life. He is lovingly healing my brokenness, teaching me to become like him, and training me to be involved in his mission of saving others. In addition, the way he is transforming me now is preparing me for even greater work throughout eternity. Anyone who seeks God experiences this same gracious life change. My prayer is that you would be willing to let God change you to become all you were meant to be.
In the Bible, Saul also had a “game-changing” experience which each of us can learn from. Saul was a devout, Jew being groomed to become a leading Pharisee in first-century Israel. He received rabbinical training under the revered Gamaliel. He faultlessly followed the law. In his zeal for his religion he persecuted Christians whom he regarded as blasphemers (Philippians 3:4-6). He sought to put an end to their sect. He stood in approval at the stoning of Stephen who had just called out the Pharisees for crucifying Jesus, the Messiah (Acts 7:51-8:1). On his way to imprison believers in Damascus, Jesus dramatically confronted Saul. In blinding light and an audible voice Jesus revealed himself as risen savior and eternal king. He rebuked Saul for persecuting him. This encounter completely humbled and changed Saul. God restored his sight and called him to proclaim to Jews and Gentiles the glorious truth that Jesus is Lord just as Stephen had done (Acts 9:1-19, 22:1-21, 26:1-29). Saul took on the name Paul and devoted his life to obeying God’s call (Acts 13-28). The transformation in Paul can happen in you if you are open to God changing you. Like he did with Paul, no matter how sincere your beliefs are or how wrong your deeds have been, God wants to forgive you, correct you, restore you, and lead you in a new life with him.
Be open to God replacing your life with his. Not just once, but continually as he progressively reveals aspects of yourself you need to die to. Jesus is calling you, just like he did Paul. He desires to remove the scales from your eyes. He wants you to be with him, to be like him, and to do what he does. Don’t be hard-hearted in your thoughts, beliefs, actions, or ambitions. Don’t let pride, comfort, fear, or the cost of sacrifice lead you away from God like it did to many Jews and Pharisees and like it does for many people today. Instead be faithful, available, and teachable.
Giving up your way of life is worth the investment. It enables gaining God’s best for you now and forever. It impacts others so they can know God and become all they were meant to be. It saves you from God’s coming judgment which all unbelievers must face. So be willing to change each day as God guides you. God changed Paul from violently persecuting Jesus to joyfully proclaiming Jesus. Discover the blessed changes he has in store for you.