Philippians 3:7-8 “But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ…Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ”
We all live for something. For some, it’s success. For others, it is recognition, comfort, or the approval of people who seem to matter. It’s easy to build a life around what looks impressive on the outside, until something deeper begins to stir within us.
Saul was a man who had everything going for him. He was well-connected, well-educated, and deeply respected. His life followed a clear path of influence and authority. Yet, beneath all of that, he was moving in the wrong direction: so much so that he became a fierce opponent of those who followed Jesus, determined to silence them at any cost.
THEN, EVERYTHING CHANGED..
On a journey to Damascus, Saul encountered Jesus in a way that stopped him in his tracks. A blinding light, a voice calling his name, and a question that pierced his heart: “Why are you persecuting me?” In that moment, Saul came face to face with truth, not as an idea, but as a Person. The encounter left him physically blind, but spiritually awakened.
For three days, Saul sat in darkness. Not just the absence of sight, but the quiet unravelling of everything he thought he knew. Then came restoration—his sight returned, but more importantly, his purpose was redefined.
SAUL BECAME PAUL.
The man who once hunted believers became one of the most passionate voices for the message he once tried to destroy. His life took a dramatic turn. The status he once held no longer mattered. The approval he once sought lost its grip. Instead of prestige, he embraced purpose. Instead of comfort, he chose calling.
Paul would later reflect on this transformation with striking clarity: “I once thought these things were valuable, but now I consider them worthless because of what Christ has done.” What once defined him no longer held any weight compared to the life he had found in Christ.
THIS RAISES A QUESTION FOR ALL OF US: WHO ARE YOU LIVING FOR?
It’s possible to spend years chasing things that look meaningful but leave us empty. Titles fade. Applause quiets. Even the approval of others can shift like the wind. But when your life is anchored in Christ, everything changes. Your identity is no longer built on what you achieve, but on who you belong to.
The beauty of Paul’s story is not just in his transformation, but in the reminder; it offers that change is possible. No past is too broken, no habit too deep, no heart too hardened. The same power that redirected Paul’s life is available today, patiently inviting us to surrender, to trust, and to walk in a new direction.
You may feel stuck in patterns you wish you could break. You may wonder if real change is possible. But transformation doesn’t begin with striving harder, it begins with surrendering fully.
So, bring your questions, your struggles, and even your resistance. Lay them before God. He is not intimidated by your past or discouraged by your pace. He is at work: gently, persistently, powerfully. And as He works in you, you may discover what Paul did: that a life lived for Christ is not a loss, but the greatest gain of all.
Amen.
KEY TAKEAWAYS
We often build our lives around success and approval;
But true fulfilment is found in living for Christ, not for people.
A single encounter with Jesus can change everything:
What feels like an interruption may be a divine redirection.
Transformation is not about self-effort alone:
It begins with surrender and continues through God’s power.
What once seemed valuable can lose its grip:
When Christ becomes your focus, your priorities are reshaped.
No one is beyond change or redemption;
God can turn even the strongest opposition into purpose.
Living for Christ brings lasting meaning:
It replaces empty striving with deep, unshakable purpose.
