Select Page

300x250-Lent-AdFor the last few days, I have been introduced to many people. I try to remember the names and faces by associating a fact or experience to each person:

  • an interesting occupation or hobby — stamp collector, doctor, student who also happens to be a retiree
  • an attribute – kind, funny, talented, genuine
  • their claim to fame — this usually is … the mom of Susie, the dad of Johnny
  • their physical appearance – hair color, beautiful eyes, height (as I ask myself if they played basketball), complexion (as I wonder if they use Oil of Olay)

Yet this morning I am remembering another introduction which I read about in the last week. Introductions are important for they are the way in which we first come to know or experience something or someone. If we are honest, first impressions can be so lasting and difficult to change which is why we long to make a good “first impression”.

Paul knew this very well. He was a man continually trying to break the bad impression people had of him. And so when he made introductions, he was intentional ….

“I’m here to introduce you to this God so you can worship intelligently, knowing who you are dealing with.” Acts 17:23, MSG)

Paul had taken notice of the inscriptions on the altars in Athens which read, “To an Unknown God”. He wanted for people to come to know his God, Whose desire is to be known. In Acts 17, Paul introduces God by telling us He is:

  1. The God who made the world and everything in it.” There is not a thing by which we see, we feel, we touch that has not been created by our God. “God, the Lord, created the heavens and stretched them out. He created the earth and everything in it.” (Isaiah 42:5a, NLT)
  2. “He’s not remote; he’s near.” All we need to do is look to Him, call to Him. “Seek the Lord while you can find him. Call on him while he is near.” (see Isaiah 55:6, NLT)
  3. “He himself gives life and breath to everything.” Each breath we draw is a gift. Truly. And I was curious, just how many do I take each day? Answer … the average adult takes 21,600 and 24,000 breaths a day, at rest. (Thank you, ask.com 🙂 ) “He gives breath to everyone, life to everyone who walks the earth.” (Isaiah 42:5b, NLT).

Paul knew an introduction could be powerful and life-changing for it had happened in his own life. Once properly introduced, he became a different person altogether – changed from the inside out. Paul, educated and scholarly, became a man who knew God not only with his mind but embraced Him with his heart. His entire course in life was forever altered.

And an introduction was all it took.

Today I am joining with … Hear It, Use It and Sharing His Beauty and Making Your Home Sing and Motivation Mon. and Inspire Me Mon. and Living Proverbs 31 .