Pornographer Larry Flynt. Rock star Alice Cooper. Film star Mel Gibson. Actor and cultural icon Russell Brand. Some conversions are difficult to believe. Through the years, we have seen famous (or infamous) persons claim to be followers of Christ. How do we know? Jesus’ disciples persevere through trials. While the church is reluctant to welcome them, their old friends usually abandon them. This goes back two thousand years.
How quickly tables turn. Saul went to Damascus to arrest Christians. When Christ arrested him, he began to preach. Now the same people who would have helped Saul arrest Christians plotted to take his life. God had people in Damascus. As the persecutors watched to catch and kill him, Saul’s followers lowered him in a basket through an opening in the wall.
Years ago, a Bolivian pastor named Julio Ruibal led a revival prayer movement in Cali, Colombia. As he mobilized believers, the drug cartels began to unravel. One night the news reported that nobody had been murdered in Cali, that day. Nobody could remember how long it had been. The cartels threatened his life. Ruibal said, “I am immortal until God is finished with me.” God protected his servant. The revival transformed the city. His later assassination only strengthened God’s work in that country. His blood became the seed of the gospel.
Paul’s teacher Gamaliel had once told the leaders in Jerusalem, “You don’t want to fight against God.” Why not? Because God wins. Every time. God had plans for Saul. God has plans for you and for me as well. So we obey, we stay, and we pray, trusting God’s timing. As the hymn says, “There is no other way to be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey."
