A letter from Paul

I've stayed amazingly committed1 to the New Testament Challenge, except for one problem; I often find myself jumping through the books as though I'm channel surfing ... with no idea what I'm really looking for and never staying put long enough to dig into the plot, just deciding if the main characters are people I feel like spending a little time with or not right now. With 27 books to bounce around in, and waiting for something to grab my attention, I’ve noticed that during the past few weeks I keep ending up in Paul's letters to the early church. Paul is not someone I am usually drawn to—I'll admit it; I don't particularly like him. His stance on women alone is enough to raise my hackles and cause me to be guarded. But he lives so BIG and he writes with such passion to the early Christians: to warn, encourage, and guide.  

Not inspired by any particular verse or passage, and yet charge with blogging my thoughts, all I can think is wouldn't it be great if Paul would write us a letter?! He could show us the pitfalls before us; admonish us for spending so much time focusing on that which isn't really important and our tendency to make mountains out of molehills; remind us that we need each other to stay strong and endure the challenges that lie ahead. Wouldn't it be cool if he mentioned me personally in his letter?! I could stop wondering what I'm supposed to do next or if I am reading God's will for my life correctly and just start living each day assured that I am exactly where I am meant to be and my purpose is to contribute something meaningful each and every day! 

Of course, Paul's letters were indeed written to us, it matters not if he mentions us by name. He is still here to offer his guidance, to nudge, confront, and inspire us. Even though I have a feeling Paul wouldn’t be someone I’d like spending lots of time with if he were here among us today, I think he falls in that category of people God would want me to accept, as he is, for what he brings. Who in my church family is God asking me to do the same with? In what unsuspecting person does God have something he wants me to see?

1committed is a relative term indicating only the personal standards of this author.