September - 3
UNDER NEW MANAGEMENT
“This man is my chosen instrument to carry my name before the Gentiles . . . .” Acts 9:15
Many people measure their worth by their work. They clock in long hours at the office, at the factory or job site, or at home raising children. But what does our work say about who we are?
Saul had to reassess his work in light of Jesus’ plan for his life. Saul had been out to get rid of Christians. As a devout Jew, he felt they were a threat to the true religion of God’s people. He wanted to destroy anyone who followed the new religion founded by Jesus. Saul believed it was his mission to stamp out this competition.
God redirected Saul to become the chosen instrument of the Lord Jesus. Saul would suffer greatly as he championed this new message. But in spite of that, Saul proclaimed himself a disciple for Jesus, working under new management.
Saul was called to bring the message of forgiveness and grace to the very people he had hated. The first words of Ananias to Saul are significant: “Brother Saul, the Lord . . . has sent me so that you may . . . be filled with the Holy Spirit.” Through Ananias, Saul was commissioned for new work.
It took a crisis on the road to point Saul in a new direction for his life work. As you think about this, evaluate the relationship between your work and identity, and reassess how your life work brings praise to God.
PRAYER
Jesus, you care about the kind of person I am and how my work benefits others in your kingdom. Help me to enter into your rest as I work for your kingdom to come. Amen.
许多人以工作来衡量自己的价值，他们在办公室、工厂或工地长时间工作，或在家中养儿育女。然而，我们的工作能反映我们的身分吗？
扫罗必须按着耶稣为他安排的人生计划来重新评估他的工作，他曾经四处把基督徒赶尽杀绝。身为一个敬虔的犹太人，扫罗认为基督徒对神的子民所信奉的真信仰是个威胁，于是想消灭所有追随耶稣所创立的新宗教的人。扫罗坚信，在这场角力中把对方击倒，是他的使命。
然而，神完全改变了扫罗的人生方向，拣选他成为主耶稣的器皿。扫罗因为传讲这新信息而会吃到不少苦头。尽管如此，扫罗宣称自己是耶稣的门徒，并在新的管治下作工。
结果，扫罗蒙神呼召去向他曾经恨之入骨的人传扬赦罪和恩典的信息，而亚拿尼亚对扫罗所说的第一句话十分重要：「兄弟扫罗……耶稣打发我来，叫你能……被圣灵充满。」扫罗通过亚拿尼亚领受了新的任命。
对扫罗来说，是大马色路上的危机，使他看到了人生的事奉方向。当你思想此事时，请考虑你的工作和你的身分有什么关系，并重新评估你人生的工作如何能把赞美归给神。
祷告
耶稣，祢看重我这个人，并在乎我的工作如何叫祢国度里的人得益处。当我为祢的国度再临而努力工作时，求祢帮助我进入祢的安息中。阿们。