B.C. Me

Isaiah 43:18-20 Amplified Bible (AMP)

18 
“Do not remember the former things,
Or ponder the things of the past.
19 
“Listen carefully, I am about to do a new thing,
Now it will spring forth;
Will you not be aware of it?
I will even put a road in the wilderness,
Rivers in the desert.
20 
“The beasts of the field will honor Me,
Jackals and ostriches,
Because I have given waters in the wilderness
And rivers in the desert,To give drink to My people, My chosen.

A thing that's going on right now is the How Hard Did Aging Hit You challenge. I have my own reasons for participating. But...is it just me or is this pretty much the same thing as the puberty challenge? Well I guess for some of us it is because 10 years ago, we were going through puberty. 

Anyway, y'all ever seen a picture of yourself and you remember everything that was going on, your mind state, who you were dating at the time, who your best friend was. Some are good memories, and then there's those painful things that stir up bad feelings. But then you think about the growth....

Lawd have mercy. Where was going and who did I think I was?!?And yes, the picture on the left is from over 10 years ago. I think I was 14 or 15 in that picture. Lord this girl right here was hell on 2 wheels and a flat. Don't let the innocent look fool you. She was (still is lowkey/highkey. Try me not) bout it. She wanted to and would fight everyone without a second thought or hesitation. She was very much a spit fire lil something. Wouldn't hold her tongue for NOBODY and wished somebody would even think they would. She had little to no guidance. She was left to the streets and to raise herself. Self control was nonexistent. Church?!? Chuuuuuuurch?!? That was a joke. 

This woman...sheesh. She's been to hell and back. She's the most resilient person I've very met. God is her forefront, her back, her sides, top, bottom, literally everything. He is her all in all, the reason she lives, moves, and has her being. She still will check you nit you try it, but she's got too much to lose to be getting in any real trouble. 

Two completely different people, right? It's called growth. I don't think that I'm the only one that has grown. As a matter of fact (no shade), looking at some of yall's pictures, I know I'm not the one one that has grown. It's part of life. Always has been and always will be. Look at Paul

Acts 8:1-3 Amplified Bible (AMP)

Saul Persecutes the Church

8 Saul wholeheartedly approved of Stephen’s death.

And on that day a great and relentless persecution broke out against the church in Jerusalem; and the believers were all scattered throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria, except for the apostles. 2 Some devout men buried Stephen, and [a]mourned greatly over him [expressing a personal sense of loss]. 3 But Saul beganravaging the church [and assaulting believers]; entering house after house and dragging off men and women, putting them in prison.

Saul used to persecute the church and was not ashamed of it at all. He wanted absolutely nothing to do with the church. Nevertheless, God can still redirect him.

Acts 9:1-12 Amplified Bible (AMP)

The Conversion of Saul

9 Now [a]Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord [and relentless in his search for believers], went to the [b]high priest, 2 and he asked for letters [of authority] from him to the synagogues at Damascus, so that if he found any men or women there belonging to [c]the Way [believers, followers of Jesus the Messiah], men and women alike, he could arrest them and bring them bound [with chains] to Jerusalem. 3 As he traveled he approached Damascus, and suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him [displaying the glory and majesty of Christ]; 4 and he fell to the ground and heard a voice [from heaven] saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting and oppressing Me?” 5 And Saul said, “Who are You, Lord?” And He answered, “I am Jesus whom you are persecuting,6 now get up and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do.” 7 The men who were traveling with him [were terrified and] stood speechless, hearing the voice but seeing no one. 8 Saul got up from the ground, but though his eyes were open, he could see nothing; so they led him by the hand and brought him into Damascus. 9 And he was unable to see for three days, and he neither ate nor drank.

10 Now in Damascus there was a disciple named Ananias; and the Lord said to him in a vision, “Ananias.” And he answered, “Here I am, Lord.” 11 And the Lord said to him, “Get up and go to the street called [d]Straight, and ask at the house of Judas for a man from Tarsus named Saul; for he is praying [there], 12 and in a vision he has seen a man named Ananias come in and place his hands on him, so that he may regain his sight.”

Saul was so against the church for whatever reason, but he still recognized the fact that Jesus is Lord. In fact, if you look at verse 8, you'll notice that Saul never physically saw Jesus, but he recognized His voice, which tells me he in fact knew who Jesus was,k but he didn't have a relationship with Him.

Acts 9:13-19 Amplified Bible (AMP)

13 But Ananias answered, “Lord, I have heard from many people about this man, especially how much suffering and evil he has brought on Your saints (God’s people) at Jerusalem; 14 and here [in Damascus] he has authority from the high priests to put in chains all who call on Your name [confessing You as Savior].” 15 But the Lord said to him, “Go, for this man is a [deliberately] chosen instrument of Mine, to bear My name before the Gentiles and kings and the sons of Israel;16 for I will make clear to him how much he must suffer and endure for My name’s sake.” 17 So Ananias left and entered the house, and he laid his hands on Saul and said, “Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you came [to Damascus], has sent me so that you may regain your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit [in order to proclaim Christ to both Jews and Gentiles].” 18 Immediately something like scales fell from Saul’s eyes, and he regained his sight. Then he got up and was baptized; 19 and he took some food and was strengthened.

Saul Begins to Preach Christ

For several days [afterward] Saul remained with the disciples who were at Damascus.

This particular excerpt is so indicative of religion and church folk. So many people come to church desiring to be delivered, but church folk get so caught up on their right now and forget that God is all powerful. If He could deliver them, then He can deliver someone else. The church has to stop doing that to people. That's why churches stop growing. Folk are too worried about people being the perfect candidate to be a member of their church. They take the phrase "God is looking for a church without spot or wrinkle," way out of context. No one has to be perfect. Church is for people to fellowship and worship God. Now what scripture does say is that we are to worship God in spirit and in truth. If the church isn't doing that, then there goes your spot and wrinkle. Your worship and praise has to be for real, and it will be for real if you're honest with yourself about your growth and where God has brought you from. The church is supposed to be inclusive not exclusive. Shutting people out because of their story is not God. You can't get mad at the state of the world if you're not doing anything to help.

Acts 9:20-25 Amplified Bible (AMP)

20 And immediately he began proclaiming Jesus in the synagogues, saying, “This Man is the Son of God [the promised Messiah]!” 21 All those who heard him continued to be amazed and said, “Is this not the man who in Jerusalem attacked those who called on this name [of Jesus], and had come here [to Damascus] for the express purpose of bringing them bound [with chains] before the chief priests?” 22 But Saul increased in strength more and more, and continued to perplex the Jews who lived in Damascus by examining [theological evidence] andproving [with Scripture] that this Jesus is the Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed).

23 After considerable time had passed [about three years or so], the Jews plotted together to kill him, 24 but their plot became known to Saul. They were also watching the city’s gates day and night so they could kill him; 25 but his disciples took him at night and let him down through an opening in the wall, lowering him in a large basket.

So Ananias did all that fussing (I'm sorry y'all. Im a Southern girl.) and look at Saul. He's growing, increasing his faith, spreading the gospel, and becoming who God created him to be. The reason he was so impactful is because everybody knew B.C. Saul. I got that term from John Gray. B.C. Saul meaning Before Christ Saul. Everybody knew who Saul was and how he persecuted Christians, but now he's preaching. It's one thing to hoop and holler about God, but it's different when your life truly shows it. 

The funny thing is the Jews are now looking for him. That's a true test of your growth. Saul helped the Jews stone Stephens, and now they want to kill him, but Saul never flinched. I can't say I'm there yet. I'm just gonna be honest. I've grown a lot, but I can't say that I would walk away from that. I'm just being honest. I'm somewhere between "Knuck if You Buck," and "Glory to the Lamb." Me and God would really have to have a conversation. "Look, God, I'm trying to live for you, but they trying me. I'm trying to do what you want me to do, but I'm .25 seconds from doing what I want do to them. Yeah I know you know who I was before I was formed in my mother's womb, so you know I aint no punk. I'm gon turn the other cheek and keep turning and start swinging." I'm just being for real. I'm a lil hood. But because of Saul's obedience God made a way.

Acts 9:26-31 Amplified Bible (AMP)

26 When he arrived in Jerusalem, he tried to join the disciples; but they were all afraid of him, not believing that he really was a disciple. 27 However, [a]Barnabas took him and brought him to the apostles, and described to them how Saul had seen the Lord on the road [to Damascus], and how He had spoken to him, and how at Damascus Saul had preached openly and spoken confidently in the name of Jesus. 28 So he was with them, moving around freely [as one among them] in Jerusalem, speaking out boldly in the name of the Lord. 29 He was talking and arguing with the [b]Hellenists (Greek-speaking Jews); but they were attempting to kill him. 30 When the brothers found out [about the plot], they brought him down to [c]Caesarea [Maritima] and sent him off to Tarsus [his home town].

31 So the church throughout Judea and Galilee and Samaria enjoyed peace [without persecution], being built up [in wisdom, virtue, and faith]; and walking in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort and encouragement of the Holy Spirit, it continued to grow [in numbers].

The very people that saved his life were the same ones that rejected him because of their own fear. The Bible never says they consulted God; they just said no. However, if God has ordered your steps, He'll show you favor. Saul's favor is Barnabas. Barnabas interceded on his behalf and went to a higher authority. Remember Psalm 23 says, He prepares a table for me in the presence of mine enemies. The disciples didn't like him, but now they have to accept him. It's like Saul was like

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And now look. They're winning more with him, but that never would've happened  if they would've let their thoughts of B.C. Saul determine their choices. When God has called you to do something, it doesn't matter who you used to be. People aren't going to like it, and that's fine. There's  people you though were on your side, but all the while they're rooting for your downfall, their doubting who you are, they're doubting your capabilities. Let them think whatever they want to think because if you look at B.C. me and current me, that's enough to give God glory.