For I am the least of the apostles and do not even deserve to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God. But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace to me was not without effect  (1 Corinthians 15:9-10).

Read those verses again.

Aaand one more time

Those two verses tell the story of Paul’s life.

And probably yours

No, I don’t imagine that you’ve traveled the country having the children of God thrown in prison and standing watch at the occasional stoning. Nor is it likely that you have planted dozens of churches in multiple cities and been, by the Holy Spirit, the driving force in the conversion of a continent.

I mean, maybe you have, but probably not.

But you have lived your life. You remember your own personal B.C., and you know what God has done in you since. You know what grace has done 

in you

for you

through you.

Rejoice today, Beloved of God, for you are not who you were.

You are who you are, and the grace of Almighty God has not been without effect.

Happy Friday, Beloved.