Yesterday evening, after a wonderful service, good food and delightful fellowship with my daughter and grandchildren, I sat down and picked up my Daily Devotional for Sunday, June 3, 2018. Max Lucado listed the scripture in Philippians 4:12. It reads as follows:
“I have learned the secret of being happy at any time in everything that happens.”
As I was reading the short little clip about “A Hidden Hero” I was momentarily transported back to a prison cell. Max puts it this way (and it’s pretty perfect).
“Peer into the prison and see Paul for your yourself: bent and frail, shackled to the arm of a Roman guard. BEHOLD, THE APOSTLE OF GOD…
Dead broke. No family. No property. Nearsighted and completely worn out…He doesn’t look like a hero.
He doesn’t sound like one either. He introduced himself as the worst sinner in history. He was a Christian-Killer before he was a Christian Leader. At times his heart was so heavy, Paul’s pen drug itself across the page. (Oh what a miserable man I am! Who will save me from this body that brings me death?) Romans 7:24
Only heaven knows how long he stared at that question mark before he found the courage to defy all logic and write: “I thank God for saving me through Jesus Christ our Lord!” Romans 7:25
**Thank you Max for painting a picture of humanness for me. When I hear of great heroes of the Bible that lived normal, emotional, painful days filled with questions and fear, sickness and heartache, and still managed to dig down deep and find that mustard seed of faith and courage to keep going…I am encouraged. I am inspired. I am less fearful; less discouraged; more confident and more hopeful. Thank you Lord for allowing us to see the human side of your teachers, leaders, warriors and prophets. The Bible is filled with reminders that ALL have sinned and come short of the glory of God!
It is a powerful way to show us that we need a Savior!
Just thinking out loud,
P
Pam Torres | Author 