Tender LOVE 2

We need to embrace humiliations that God allows in our lives to draw us closer to Him and open our hearts. In Acts of the Apostles we see the conversion of St. Paul previously known as Saul.

Although Saul was zealous in his faith, he was one with a closed heart who did not want to hear about Jesus Christ and went so far as to seek out Christ’s followers to persecute them.

Saul was knocked down while traveling on the road to Damascus. He was on his way to persecute more Christians. While on the way, “suddenly a light from heaven flashed about him” and Saul was thrown from his horse. He understood the truth; that he was not a man as God wanted. Saul heard the voice of Christ asking, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?” Then Christ instructs him to “get up and go.”

After his fall, Saul humbly allowed himself to be guided by another to Damascus because he had been blinded. It was this humiliation that became the path to open the heart which allowed him to be converted to the Lord Jesus.

When we are faced with humiliating moments – it is a time when ones heart feels utter pain, one is helpless. It is a time when a person can get bitter. Bitterness grows, it makes us restless and mean and hurtful. It is a road to an aggressive life.

When the Lord permits us to go through humiliating moments, it is precisely so that the heart may be opened, may be submissive.

BUT it is also a step to grow with God. Hurtful yes it is, but we have to pray with God for His grace. NOTICE the words, with God, the Holy Spirit is always with us. Every trial, is a purification process, the Bible says, even Gold is tested with fire.

However, Christ did not leave Saul on the ground, nor does He expect us to stay there when we are knocked down. With humbling experiences, the Lord is able to change our hearts and make a hard, stubborn heart become submissive to the Spirit.

After a fall we first must rise, it, simply means we trust in God.

Paul “let himself be led like a child; entrusted himself to the hands of another, whom he did not know,” Paul came to Ananias, the man who God chose to restore Saul’s sight and baptize him.

The Holy Spirit, leads us, the People of God. The conversion of Paul affects us, since we all have hardness of heart, just as Saul did.

And after you have suffered for a little while, the God of all grace who called you to His eternal glory in Christ, will Himself perfect, confirm, strengthen and establish you. To Him be dominion forever and ever. Amen.

Greet one another with a kiss of love. Peace be to you, all who are in Christ.

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Tender LOVE