Different . . . yet the same. I’m thinking that’s the nature of the salvation stories we have as Christians. Each story unique, with specific details of how someone came to faith in Jesus Christ . . . yet each story familiar, with similar accounts of what happened. That’s what hit me this morning as I started in on Galatians. I’m no Paul . . . not Jewish . . . not raised to be a religious leader . . . not as zealous . . . not as bright . . . didn’t meet Jesus face to face (rather, face to ground) . . . but as I read his summary of his story, I identify . . . and, praising God, say, “Me too!”

For you have heard of my former life in Judaism, how I persecuted the church of God violently and tried to destroy it. And I was advancing in Judaism beyond many of my own age among my people, so extremely zealous was I for the traditions of my fathers. But when He who had set me apart before I was born, and who called me by His grace, was pleased to reveal His Son to me, in order that I might preach him among the Gentiles, I did not immediately consult with anyone . . .   
(Galatians 1:13-16 ESV)

I wasn’t a violent man . . . wasn’t on a mission to wipe out Christianity, or any other ideology for that matter. But, in opposition to God? Yup. Making light of those who believed? Uh, huh. Arrogantly swimming in my own darkness and foolishness? That would have been me. In fact, Paul characterizes it well in Romans . . . spiritually infirm and feeble . . . devoted to sin . . . hostile toward God, an enemy of His kingdom. Details different than Paul’s . . . determination the same. Not for . . . but against. And in that state, shared by Paul and I, “Christ died for the ungodly” . . . “Christ died for us” . . . reconciliation to God was made possible “by the death of His Son” (Romans 5:6, 8, 10).

But more than the “before picture”, what captured me this morning was the dynamic Paul describes which produced the “after picture.”

Paul says, “He set me apart before I was born . . . He called me by His grace . . . He was pleased to reveal His Son to me.” Me too! And my awe-o-meter goes off the scale!

Why, O God, would you have set Your eye upon this dot of Your creation even before I entered this world? I don’t know . . . but it’s part of my story. The part that acknowledges that nothing of myself merits the favor of God . . . nothing I have done or could ever do could purchase a seat at the King’s table . . . but that it is but a Sovereign determination of the God who so loved the world (John 3:16).

Called by His grace. For years without ears to hear and eyes to see, yet patiently pursued by the One who desired me for Himself. A lost sheep searched for by the Good Shepherd. A prodigal son loved unconditionally by a waiting Father. A blind man given sight by the gracious touch of the Master’s hands. Persistently pursued by grace . . . until grace broke through . . . and the face once turned against God was turned toward God.

And in His gracious turning of my face toward Him . . . the Son revealed . . . “the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ” (2Cor. 4:6). A vague religion to be disputed becoming a vital relationship to be pursued . . . because God, in His grace, was pleased to reveal His Son to Paul . . . and to me too!

Different . . . yet the same.

“This is my story . . . this is my song . . . praising my Savior . . . all the day long!” Amen?