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“Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?”
Acts 9:4

Hello My Friends,
Who doesn’t love a good turnaround story? Movies are built on the concept. The person that changes their way, sees the light, was lost and is now found. They always make for a great story.
Ebeneezer scrooge comes to mind, as does Derek in American History X, but my all-time favorite is Darth Vader in Star Wars. It took three movies (in my childhood, excluding all the new ones) to see the arc of the character go from one of evil and terror to one of caring for their child. These stories captivate us because redemption is part of all of our narratives. We have been redeemed through forgiveness. 
Redemption is the action of being saved from sin, error, or evil and redemption through forgiveness means being freed from guilt, punishment, and the consequences of past offenses. We have all been given this grace to start again, to find ourselves lifted up and placed back on the right path thanks to God.
In the lectionary this month we find the story of Saul being redeemed, and renamed, as Paul. A man who arrested and persecuted Christians in the early days of the movement. Jesus, in spirit form, visits Paul and asks him a very straight-forward question, “why are you persecuting Me?” This direct confrontation was all it took for Saul to see the light and come out the other side a changed person…as Paul. The same Paul who brought the message of the Gospel to so many by planting churches throughout the Roman Empire. He wrote letters that we read today that teach and inspire us. All of his work stemming…from a turnaround story. 
For us the message is clear…it is NEVER TOO LATE! Not for us, not for others. As disciples we are tasked to bring the Good News to the world. The Good News is that through Christ, we are forgiven, we are redeemed to start anew. No one is lost forever. 
As the hands and feet of Jesus here on Earth, it is our responsibility to let those who are struggling know, those who feel they are beyond redemption, those who feel unloved, those who are lost, that there is lighter, easier path. 
Keep planting the seeds, through perseverance, the next big turnaround story doesn’t have to happen on the big screen, it could be in the pew right next to you. 

With much love,
-Pastor Brian