July 13, 2022 — Words of Wisdom, Bill Dana (American Humorist)

“I had been told that the training procedure with cats was difficult. It’s not. Mine had me trained in two days.” – Bill Dana

“Meanwhile Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priestand asked him for letters to the synagogues at Damascus, so that if he found any who belonged to the Way, men or women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem. Now as he was going along and approaching Damascus, suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him. He fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?” He asked, “Who are you, Lord?” The reply came, “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. But get up and enter the city, and you will be told what you are to do.” The men who were traveling with him stood speechless because they heard the voice but saw no one. Saul got up from the ground, and though his eyes were open, he could see nothing; so they led him by the hand and brought him into Damascus. For three days he was without sight and neither ate nor drank.” Acts 9:1-9

Changing Our Mind

How long does it take for our minds to be changed? Some people require weeks, some months, and others will never change their mind no matter what information they receive. My cats fall into the last category – it is impossible to change their minds.

Saul (Paul) had his mind made up that his calling in life was to persecute early Christians, people who were followers of “The Way” (The Way of Christ). But then one day Jesus told him he had time to think about his ways – three days in fact. For three days he sat in Damascus, not able to see and not so sure what he had seen and experienced when Jesus appeared to him. But those three days were long enough for Jesus to change Saul’s mind about his life and calling.

Jesus was in the tomb three days before he changed the world through his resurrection. But he did not just sit in the tomb for three days – he went into the prisons of former times to preach to those who had died long before. (1 Peter 3:18-19) You see Jesus was always seeking to be in relationship with the others – especially those whom others believed were not worthy to be in relationship. Having our minds made up about something can be a strength and a weakness. But just when we think we have everything figured out, G-d can come along to convince you to change your mind. And believe me, our G-d can be a persistent G-d.

Let us pray,

Lord Jesus, you never gave up on someone, and the truth of scripture is you will never give up. Give me the strength to always remain open to change. Amen.

Pastor Dave