“Go, for he is a chosen instrument of Mine, to bear My name before the Gentiles and kings and the sons of Israel; for I will show him how much he must suffer for My name’s sake” (Acts 9:15-16).

Who wants to be a “chosen instrument” in the hands of our Master? Believe it or not, the choice is ours to make! But this choice is not, as some may try to sell you, a bed of roses. Saul faced mistrust from his spiritual brothers and sisters for the rest of his life (Acts 9:13-14, 21, 26; 21:20-21). Saul faced hatred from his physical brothers and sisters for the rest of his life (9:23, 26; 28:25). Through it all however, and in spite of all the good reasons to the contrary, Saul never stopped loving the church (2 Cor. 11:26–28), nor did he ever stop loving his people (Rom 9:1-5). And Saul had the privilege of seeing God use him, the chief of sinners, to bring the gospel to the ends of the earth (Acts 1:8; 13:47).

Who wants to be a “chosen instrument” in the hands of our Master? O God, here am I, please use me!

“Now in a large house there are not only gold and silver vessels, but also vessels of wood and of earthenware, and some to honor and some to dishonor. Therefore, if anyone cleanses himself from these things, he will be a vessel for honor, sanctified, useful to the Master, prepared for every good work” (2 Tim 2:20-21).