This will be a two-part post regarding the book by Dr. Charles Swindoll, PAUL: A MAN OF GRACE AND GRIT. The first part focused on the content of the book, what stood out, and an overall summary of the amazing person that is Paul. The second part will focus on learnings from the book and my own personal application.
Reflection and Interaction
As I read through this book, I found myself relating to Dr. Swindoll’s writings on Paul’s life in many ways. From the beginning chapters that showed Paul’s former life and his radical transformation to the later chapters that reflected on his final days, I found myself convicted and relating to this man of grace and grit in ways I never have. I was astonished as I read of Paul’s contentment during tribulations and was challenged by how easily I complain at the pettiest of circumstances. While this book covers many topics and how to handle them such as leading, criticism, hardship, and forgiving to name a few; there were two keys concepts that resonated with me the most as Paul’s life unfolded in the pages. Those are the ideas of waiting and contentment.
Beginning in chapter four and continuing into chapter five, I was absolutely challenged and comforted. These chapters speak of Paul being called by God to something greater, but as Paul was being changed, God did this in a time of solitude and obscurity. God had to transform this man from what he was into what God wanted him to be. During this time, Paul had to be still, slow down, pursue God, and be content. God was working in him and preparing him for something greater, yet in this time, he was to be patient, wait, seek, and trust God as he waited for his divine mission. As the next few chapters unfold, similar principles emerge such as depending on God, humbling yourself before the Father, and trusting His timing. Paul’s mission during this time was simply to let God prepare him for the work that was ahead, yet Paul did not know what that work was; he had to trust God and be content. Swindoll recognizes that it was tough on Paul, just as it is tough on us. All too often, we get tired of waiting and want to get in the game. We think we are capable and are prepared, but only God truly knows. Instead of trusting in God and His timing, we do our own will or what we think God wants us to do. After all, Paul was called in a remarkable way along the road to Damascus and yet as much as he probably wanted to go out there and make a difference, he trusted God as he was groomed to be the servant he was called to be. Paul was content and knew that God was able. Eventually Paul came out of the shadows and became a part of the dynamic teaching team in Antioch.
These chapters on waiting resonate with me because at this point in my life I feel I am waiting. I know that God has called me to something, yet I do not know what or where that is. After starting seminary, then being led to leave Chicago to move to Texas, my own vision was very different than what my current circumstances are. From the excitement of that initial feeling of being called to something greater than a mundane corporate job to now waiting in the shadows for the next steps, these pages spoke to me and I finally felt someone knew exactly what I was feeling. Every page I found myself shaking my head in agreement with what Paul must have been feeling, yet he trusted and obeyed God’s timing and choices. All too often I try to force God’s timing because I have “determined this is His plan for me. ‘This is what I had in mind. I’ve waited long enough.’”[1] The problem with that mentality is that it is not God’s will and I am not trusting in God or His ability. Waiting is one of the toughest parts of life for me. What this book has shown me in Paul’s life is that without complaint, Paul was willing to be groomed and prepared by God for whatever God’s ultimate purpose may be; no matter how long that took. Even though he had this drastic change, he did not try to go around God’s will by proclaiming his readiness for service. Instead, he humbly waited patiently all the while learning and growing in faith so that he was prepared to be the gracious and gritty servant.
What amazes me more about this man is how he acknowledged his need for Christ. Many times throughout the book, I am in awe of how Paul boasted in the power of his weakness. He knew that he could not do this mission or any part of life without complete dependence on the Spirit. Contrary to our modern culture and what we have been taught by society, I love that he looked situations in the face and acknowledged his great need for God. He lived and modeled a life of dependence that I envy. In the hardships, trials, criticisms, and pain, Paul embraced each one, surrendered to God and lived in contentment.
What spoke to me the most about Paul’s life was his contentment in every situation regardless if it was good or bad: he was content in waiting, to live in obscurity and to know more about the Almighty. He knew God had a plan and even though he did not know it, he was obedient. Out of obedience, Paul rose above the circumstances, kept loving and living in the Spirit and he focused on the Cross. During this time of waiting in my own life, I realize that is something I need to do more. I must trust in God and His timing, focus on the Cross and be transformed. It is easy to write those words, but it is difficult to live those things out and live in the Spirit as Paul did.
Paul was able to be content in the suffering because he knew that God was using it to grow him. That is what is challenging for me. Deep down I know that God is using the suffering and waiting as a tool to remove my pride, cause me to depend on Him, and become more of who He wants me to be. But especially in this time of waiting, it is hard to remember that God has a plan. I am easily caught up in Satan’s attacks that God has forgotten me or that I am not valuable. Yet, what I love about this story is that in both complete obscurity and fame, God was with Paul and he was content to let God work in Him.
As much as I want my own life and ministry to get going, I know these times of waiting and suffering are beneficial. They are by no means easy, but to live dependently, waiting on God and being content in all circumstances as Paul lived is the exact thing I need to do. Paul trusted God every step of the way. He was willing to surrender and boast in his inadequacy. A daily surrender and yielding to God, focusing on the Cross, all the while being transformed more into the likeness of Christ by depending on the Spirit is the key to how I need to live.
Paul’s life is shown of a person that loves God, proclaims Christ, and lives in the Spirit as he ministers in grace. Paul lived with the grit and determination to keep going throughout life’s circumstances and hardships. In every chapter, I was reminded of how Paul remained faithful and obeyed. Every page of the book and his life is marked for me by one word: trust. He abounded in grace and grit, but with each new chapter of his life, Paul displayed remarkable trust in God, showing us why we should do exactly the same.
Conclusion
Swindoll writes there are three essentials for a fulfilling life: “a clear sense of personal identity, a strong sense of mission, and a deep sense of purpose.”[2] Paul knew his identity, mission, and purpose and had a fulfilling life beyond his wildest dreams. He lived for Christ which he never thought he would do as a young Pharisee on a mission to kill Christians. Yet God changed his life. Paul experienced fulfillment through a life of trust and obedience. God changed Paul into a man of grace. Through this book, we are reminded that in different circumstances, situations, and times, we can all relate to Paul. He models what it means to love Christ and offers us an example to follow. Thankfully, just as God changed and molded Paul, so can He change and mold us. Our past does not matter, as God has an amazing plan for each of us; we need only to trust God while living a life of grace.
BIBLIOGRAPHY
Swindoll, Charles R. Paul: A Man of Grace and Grit: Profiles in Character from Charles R. Swindoll. Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 2002.
[1] Ibid, 90.
[2] Ibid, 153.