When I was in high school, I did many things which were illegal; using drugs, selling drugs, shoplifting from stores. I was raised in a church and raised by godly parents and grandparents. I knew these things were wrong but I did them anyway. When I came to Christ in 1971, my life was remarkably, irreversibly changed. Since then, I have encountered many people who have a similar story. I didn't seem to be a very good candidate for following Jesus, but He came and got me. Do you love someone, maybe a friend or a family member, who isn't following Jesus? In Paul's letter to the Galatians, he tells about his life in a way that can be an encouragement, so let's listen to it:

…After three years, I went up to Jerusalem to get acquainted with Cephas and stayed with him fifteen days. I saw none of the other apostles—only James, the Lord’s brother. I assure you before God that what I am writing you is no lie. Then I went to Syria and Cilicia. I was personally unknown to the churches of Judea that are in Christ. They only heard the report: “The man who formerly persecuted us is now preaching the faith he once tried to destroy.” And they praised God because of me. (Gal. 1:18-23)

I think we can agree, Paul didn't appear to be a very good candidate for following Jesus. But on the road to Damascus in Acts 9, Paul’s dramatic encounter with the Lord changed everything. Here in his letter to the Galatians, he recounts how three years later, he went to see Cephas, also known as Peter, then on to the churches in Syria and Cilicia where he was known as a dangerous persecutor of the Church. He was well-known as the man "who formerly persecuted us” and “is now preaching the faith he once tried to destroy." But when they saw how he had changed, Paul says, "They praised God because of me." It wasn't because he was a great speaker; it was because he was such an unlikely prospect to become a Christian. Today, if you know someone who doesn't seem to you to be a person who would change and follow Jesus, take heart. You don't know what God knows. Pray for that person. When God apprehended me, He began to be on my mind all the time. I couldn't shake Him! You can't change them, but God can. He can suddenly change someone's life forever, just like Paul’s...and that is very Good News!