Changed Lives, Change Lives

John was the man. He was the star of every team he played on at his school. Had the best car, the best girl, the best of everything. On the outside, he lacked nothing. Everybody wanted to be like John. His lifestyle was fast and furious. He played hard and partied hard as well. Most people thought it was good to be John. But John was not content. He knew he was missing something in his life. After practice one Wednesday, Bill, a teammate of John's, invited him to come to FCA that night. Bill thought John would never come, but he showed up. John heard the Good News of Jesus Christ, and it made him think. He asked Bill if he could come to church with him that Sunday as well. Something was happening in John's life.

Saul was "the man" in his day. Well-trained, scholarly, and he knew how to act around many different groups. He was honored by many and had many followers who looked up to him for his work as a persecutor of Christians. If not for one road trip, Saul, now Paul, might have been famous for other things. But God had a different plan for his life. In the presence of Jesus, he was changed, and his life became different for the cause of Christ. I am sure many old friends of Saul's wondered how this could be or why a Christian killer would become a Christian himself. The simple explanation is that God is in the life-changing business. Paul's life was changed, and he went on to change the lives of others. Changed lives change lives.

John continued to go to church with Bill, and he eventually found the Lord. His life was changed. He stopped partying, stopped hanging out with the wrong crowd, started a team Bible study and led many of his teammates to Christ. He lost many friends along the way, but he gained the best Friend he ever could have hoped for in his life. He continued to be the star on his teams, but he no longer played for himself, but for the glory of God. John's changed life continues to change lives as he follows Christ. Can you say the same?