Key Verses: 15 & 16
15 But when it pleased God, who separated me from my mother’s womb and called me through His grace, 16 to reveal His Son in me, that I might preach Him among the Gentiles, I did not immediately confer with flesh and blood
Paul’s articulation of his calling is so beautiful. He understood that the purpose of his life was for God to reveal His Son in him. We all go through seasons of wondering about purpose. How often have we asked or heard the question, “What is God’s purpose for my life?” God is no respecter of persons, and His purpose for you is the same one that Paul expresses: God’s purpose for your life is to reveal His Son in you.
This purpose is transcendent. It is above our life seasons and circumstances. It is above our occupations and our families. You might love or hate your job; either way, your purpose is higher. You might find incredible purpose in your family, but one day the kids will grow and go; your purpose is higher than that. This is good news. It means that you don’t lose your purpose based on your life season.
As we read this complete passage, we see that Paul received revelation and clarity about his calling without seeking the approval of others. He spent time alone seeking God’s face and didn’t talk about it with anyone. He just pursued God. In that three-year time, he downloaded the gospel message and the guidance of what his next steps should be.
Godly counsel is incredibly valuable. Yet there are also times when it behooves us to keep our God conversations to ourselves. Too often, we hear something from the Spirit and immediately begin to talk about it with others. We seek approval, or maybe we look to them to clarify something we don’t understand fully. There are times when this has value. But many times, we just need to stay quiet before God and let His Spirit work in us. We need to spend time discerning His voice and not allow the voices and opinions of others to interfere.
Very often, the reason that we lack certainty about next steps is because there is more Son to be revealed where we are. If you aren’t where you want to be yet, it could be that there is more preparation to be done. But God wants to get you ready, because He needs you to progress. Be still, let Him reveal His Son, and the next step will come.
We can navigate life without the anxiety of wondering what God’s will is. Brave grace with the confidence that the work He began, He will complete. God’s purpose for your life is to reveal His Son in you, and it pleases Him to do it.
Braving Grace 
This is an amazing devotional and this week was incredibly powerful for me.
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