[Paul tells about after his conversion,] I did not immediately consult with anyone; 17 nor did I go up to Jerusalem to those who were apostles before me, but I went away into Arabia, and returned again to Damascus.
18 Then after three years I went up to Jerusalem to visit Cephas and remained with him fifteen days. 19 But I saw none of the other apostles except James the Lord’s brother. 20 (In what I am writing to you, before God, I do not lie!) 21 Then I went into the regions of Syria and Cilicia. 22 And I was still unknown in person to the churches of Judea that are in Christ. 23 They only were hearing it said, “He who used to persecute us is now preaching the faith he once tried to destroy.” 24 And they glorified God because of me.
I hate to say it, but there were a few seminary classmates, colleagues, and acquaintances who would spark less than an enthusiastic response when I would see them coming. In fact, some I might even head down a different hallway, avoid an encounter, or engage only the briefest time, while always seeking a quick exit point. How can I get out of this conversation?!? [For the record no one who is reading this falls into this category – as far as I am aware!] You know the type. Extra grace required people. Those who take more than they give. Those who suck the energy out of the room. Those who grab the spotlight, corner the conversation, and won’t let go. Ugh. Wears me out just to think of them.
I have to wonder, however, if I’m not one of those people to some one else in this world. I wonder whether some people avoid me, or are always looking for an excuse to disengage me in conversation. I suspect that may be true of me, and most all of us – sad to say. It’s possible, moreover, that a few of us have people who have simply written us off. We will never get a hearing or gain a relationship apart from the intervention of God.
Paul ends this first part of his letter to the Galatians saying that there were people who “glorified God because of” him. I know, however, that there were people who did not glorify God because of Paul. He had his detractors. There were plots on his life. He was not on many people’s list of people for whom they were thankful.
But there are those who saw and experienced the blessings God brought through Paul. And they glorified God because of him.
Rather than focusing on the people who detract, dismiss, or despise us, we can take Paul’s example to heart – insofar as we represent Christ to others. In other words insofar as we reflect the grace and truth of Jesus and people see Jesus through us, we must pray that God gets the glory. And if people dismiss us because we are faithful witnesses to Jesus, we let that fall on Jesus. It may make us sad. But we need never own the hatred of others because of our Christian witness to God’s grace and truth.
Next time someone smiles at you because of an act of mercy or a word of grace, let that be credited to God. May his name be praised. Rejoice in the glory to God on account of your faithfulness, love, and witness.
David Bahn - Reflections 
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