One of the many things I love about the World Race is the impact it has had on my testimony – The transformation from checking boxes as a Christian to living the life Christ calls us all to live. Before the Race, I counted myself a Christian, in fact, I thought I was doing pretty decent at it. I went to church on Sundays, did daily devo’s and prayed over my food…you know, the “Christian Basics”. I did what I thought were markers of a Christian person, desiring to live my life by the books; seeking head knowledge without understanding what it is to live with my heart in it. In all actuality, I was allowing my head to be in control. Like Saul, I sought to look the part of a devout follower based on my own understanding, and like Saul, God wasn’t having any part in my “religion”.
What stands out to me about Saul is his transformation from persecutor to persecuted. How does one go from being on “top” to living the life of a lowly servant not knowing what the future holds? Something had to have rocked his world…and it did. Jesus! Once his relationship with Jesus was activated, his heart came alive! He began to live not for the daily checklists, but became solely focused on his relationship with the One who gives life. He went from carrying the burden of judgement to handing the gavel over to the One True Judge. He left a life of persecuting to willingly allowing himself to be persecuted because relationship with Jesus is that good.
A relationship with Jesus transforms how we see the world around us – Our daily actions begin to revolve around a Savior whose love is immeasurable. When we open our hearts to that kind of love it’s impossible not to be changed! For Saul, his transformation in turn transformed others, liberating their hearts to utter surrender unto Jesus. His transformation and obedience brought forth Paul, whose vision was not on just knowing scripture, but living out the Word and obediently answering God’s call.
And while his transformation was marked with a name-change, that same journey is available for each and every one of us. We have the opportunity to surrender our preconceived ideas of “religion” and choose to walk in relationship with Jesus, and in doing so will see a new creation in ourselves.
I am “God’s masterpiece, created in Christ Jesus to do good works which God prepared in advance” and in opening my heart and saying “Yes” to a relationship for Him I live fully in the purpose God created me for. (Ref. Ephesians 2:10) I am beyond grateful for God’s call of transformation on my life. He chose to use the World Race to bring me back to life, now the question is, how is He calling you?
