Acts 22:21
“And he said unto me, Depart: for I will send thee far hence unto the Gentiles.”
One of the fears Paul had after he got saved was his past. He knew that he would have a hard time serving the LORD since he gave his life before salvation to kill those who were Christians. When Paul got saved, he went to Jerusalem. While there, he was praying in the temple when God told him to quickly get out of Jerusalem because his past would hinder him from witnessing to the Jews. God said, “Depart: for I will send thee far hence unto the Gentiles.” God was not done with Paul. God reminded Paul that he lived in a big world, and though the Jews would not hear, the Gentiles would.
This verse should be an encouragement to everyone who has a dark past that might hinder you from serving God where you are. Maybe before you got saved you lived such a wicked life that staying where you are and being a witness just isn’t possible. Maybe you are a Christian who has fallen in sin and staying in the church where you are would not be possible because of the gravity of your sin. Whatever your situation may be, the verse above has several lessons that should be an encouragement to you.
First, God always has a place for you to serve. You may think that God could never use you because of your dark past, but as long as you are alive there is a place where you can serve. Mankind may throw you out and try to dictate that you have no place where you can serve the LORD, but God always has a place for everyone to serve. You live in a big world, and there is some place in this world where you can serve.
Second, there is no need to talk about your past. One of the reasons God sent Paul away was so that his past would not hinder him. If you have done wrong and gotten right with God, then there is no need for you to continually bring it up. God has forgiven you, so move on and stop talking about it.
Third, the naysayers are going to talk no matter what you do. I have learned that it doesn’t matter what you do, you will never be able to please some of the Pharisees. The Pharisees will continually talk about your past and try to destroy you, but you must keep serving the LORD no matter what they do. Always remember that you are not serving them, you are serving God. He is ultimately the One Who will defend you. Certainly, if you could undo your past you would, but you can’t. So, let the naysayers talk, but you need to keep serving the LORD and show to the world that the grace of God can use you even after sin has stained your life.
Fourth, find your place and serve God. God had a place for Paul, and He has a place for you. Instead of waiting for the naysayers to stop talking and criticizing, jump in where you are and start serving. God will eventually reward the naysayers for their attitude. Until then, let the criticism of the naysayers remind you of the grace of God and warn you not to fall back into whatever caused the stain in your life. You live in a big world, and there is some place in this world where you can serve God. Find that place and use the remainder of your life serving the LORD and helping others turn from the stained life of sin to a life filled with hope and future provided by the grace and forgiveness of God.