A Painter’s Call

I get my hair cut in Dayton, Virginia. The lady who cuts my hair has a husband who is a painter. God has called this man to serve in the local jails and prisons. This man who works hard all week will gladly preach or teach anywhere he is asked. This lady tells me her husband is happiest when he is sharing God’s Word with others.

It’s amazing to me how God works and how God uses us. Going into a prison is not the thing that many of us would look forward to, but this man longs for the hours he can spend talking and witnessing to others. God calls us to where He needs us.

Acts 9:1 tells us about another conversion. Before he met the risen Christ on the road to Damascus, Saul who later became Paul was “breathing out murderous threats against the Lord’s disciples.” In verses 17-18, Paul’s heart and life were transformed by Jesus, and Paul became one of the most powerful witnesses for Jesus in history. Paul, who once plotted the death of Christians, devoted his life to spreading the hope of the gospel. Paul not only shared his faith with all who would listen, he wrote about two-thirds of the New Testament. Paul’s life was radically changed by Jesus.

Redemption is the miraculous work of God, and sometimes it touches a life in prison and sometimes it touches the life of one called to go and tell others about it in the prison. None of us deserve forgiveness but Jesus is such a powerful Savior He “[saves] completely those who come to God through him.” (Hebrews 7:25)

Is God calling you to be redeemed or is God calling you to be the one to offer a message of redemption? Remember – none of us deserve forgiveness, but God wants all of us to receive it!

Prayer – Father we thank you for loving us so much that You sent your only Son. Remind us over and over again that Jesus died for our sins. Amen.

Acts 2:21 – “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”

Author: The Rev. Tommy Herndon
Images: David Pisnoy (Unsplash), Melissa Knabe & Tanya Nevidoma (Unsplash)