While we are unique, we are each a piece of the puzzle that is God's plan for us

Prayer for the Day Lord Jesus, help me to recognize the gifts that You have given me that are specific to the Father’s plan for my salvation and the salvation of all mankind.  Show me, through the Holy Spirit, how to use them to do Your will, and give me the courage to act accordingly.  Amen.

Reflection

Being in the right place at the right time is one of those mysteries of life we may never fully understand.  But as I read Acts 22 and 23 this evening, I thought, “Paul was sure in the wrong place at the wrong time!”  And to make matters worse, he starts an argument among them!  What was he thinking?  I don’t think he was thinking—at least not for himself.  He was simply placing all of his trust in Jesus that he would be protected, and he was!

"Wishing to determine the truth about why Paul was being accused by the Jews, the commander freed him."  These words indicate that the commander of the Roman troops in Jerusalem wanted to get to the bottom of why Paul had started such a ruckus among the Jews. He wanted "to determine the truth."

It was not his quarrel, but it was his job to find out what was going on and deal with it.  As the Roman troop commander, he was charged with keeping peace in Jerusalem, which was no easy task.
So he went to pains to protect Paul from both the Pharisees and Sadducees, who were arguing among themselves so violently that the commander was "afraid that Paul would be torn to pieces by them." (Acts 23:10) The commander also did his best to uphold Roman law, and earlier he had freed Paul from impending torture as soon as he learned Paul was a Roman citizen (Acts 22:24-29).

God used this Roman military commander to protect His servant Paul, and used his sense of duty and justice to eventually send Paul to Rome for a trial. You see, God wanted Paul to spread the good news to Rome, and this was the set of circumstances He used to get him to Rome.

And so it is with each of us.  Just as Paul's place of birth, his background and religion, his knowledge of various languages and his legal status as a Roman citizen all came together to accomplish God's will, so we all have characteristics that make us unique to God’s plan for our salvation.

Salvation isn't impersonal, vague or general. It always takes place person to person, with all the specific details each human being has that are unique to him or her. Simply speaking a particular language may open a door, or having a certain citizenship. 

Never take for granted who you are. Never take for granted the unique set of circumstances of your life, even if they seem to be a disadvantage: a lack of education for instance, or a background of addiction or abuse.  It could even be a shattered or rocky relationship.  God can use any of these things for good.  God can use all aspects of your life in surprising ways, if you are open to Him.

Just give Him permission to work in and through you. And when you do, be ready: amazing things may happen. Good things. Wondrous things.  And don’t be afraid!  As Psalm 16 exhorts, “Keep me safe, O God; you are my hope.”