The apostle Paul was a rock star. He preached to slaves and kings, performed miracles, and saw the mighty hand of God rescue him from death time and time again. I love Paul’s story, but the most amazing part is that it didn’t turn out like Paul had planned.

According to his own bio, he was “circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; as to the law, a Pharisee; as to zeal, a persecutor of the church; as to righteousness under the law, blameless” (Philippians 3:5-6).

The Book of Acts tells us Paul studied under Gamaliel, the most respected rabbi of the day. Paul was on track to become a prominent and successful Jewish leader.  Paul was so committed to his career as a rabbi that he took an unyielding interest in a disturbing startup movement called “the Way” (Acts 9:2)—an ever-growing group of men and women who claimed that Jesus of Nazareth had risen from the dead and was in fact the God of Israel.

But then God ruined Paul’s plans.

During a mission to Damascus to arrest followers of the Way he saw the light (literally), and he became a disciple of Jesus and a dedicated servant of the gospel.

As a rabbi in league with the power players in Jerusalem, Paul had a bright future ahead of him. But as an apostle to the Gentiles and a slave of Jesus Christ, Paul spent a significant amount of his life in chains, on the run, or in physical need. From a human perspective, Paul made a bad career move. He climbed his way to the bottom of the ladder, and it cost him everything.

But that’s not the way Paul saw it.

Instead he said,

“I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ” (Philippians 3:8, ESV).

The word translated “rubbish” more accurately translated means “dung.” Paul was saying that, when compared to his new life with Christ, his old life was nothing more than fertilizer.

Paul’s life didn’t turned out like he planned, but this is why he became Jesus’ friend. That friendship not only sustained him through lonely nights in prison, brutal beatings, and days without food; it gave him real life. Paul found fulfillment when Jesus found him; his purpose was to know and serve Christ.

Like Paul, maybe your life hasn’t turned out like you anticipated, but this is the very reason you came to know Christ and have found fulfillment, too. If so, stop and thank him today for ruining your plans.

Additional Resources

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