And I (Paul) said, ‘Who are you, Lord?’ And the Lord said, ‘I am Jesus whom you are persecuting. But rise and stand upon your feet, for I have appeared to you for this purpose, to appoint you as a servant and witness to the things in which you have seen me and to those in which I will appear to you, delivering you from your people and from the Gentiles—to whom I am sending you to open their eyes, so that they may turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me.’

Acts 26:15-18

Over the Holidays, Patrina and I ran in to an old friend of mine from college. Later he commented on an invitation I extended to him to go to a college campus ministry more than 40 years ago. I don’t remember the specific encounter, but the words brought certain degree of satisfaction in that a simple invitation played a part in the development of my friend’s life in Christ.

I think we all live with a desire to leave our mark on this world. In the verses above, Jesus speaks directly to Paul about the purpose of his life, sending him to those who are blinded by darkness “to open their eyes, so that they may turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God…”

As we start this new year, let us determine to be people who are dependent on and used by God on behalf of those around us.