Smiley Paul

Paul mentions 36 names in the last chapter of Romans (ch.16). But he is referring to even more, since he mentions "households" and "families" and the apostles. Beyond these 36 people and their families, Paul also knew many others personally. The guy planted churches all across the Roman empire and yet he still knew many people by name, in a personal way. He had been imprisoned with some of them. Some of them had opened their home to him. Some taught with him. Some worked with him.

Paul really knew what it meant to be part of the family of God. In all the paintings I've seen of the apostle, he's always lecturing or writing letters in prison or being blinded by Jesus at his conversion. In the paintings he's always so serious. He's traditionally viewed as a strict preacher type. But just looking at this list of names of the people he knew well, it's so obvious that he must've been the kind of guy everyone would want to hang out with. It's like Jesus in a way; Jesus had to have been that kind of person where it just felt good to be around him. Paul had that quality too.

It's something I think God wants all his children to have, a magnetic personality. It doesn't matter whether you're traditionally extroverted or introverted, because the Spirit of God is living and active within the Christian. Do we really think that the Spirit of God is just a boring professor-type? No way! Boring professors are cool and all, but the Holy Spirit of God is loving, joyous, peaceful, patient, kind, good, faithful, gentle, self-controlled. If that list described your best friend, chances are that person is friends with tons of people!

And yet, it's not just a happy-go-lucky type of person. Paul was a smart, very focused person. He had just a few goals in life, but they were huge, very important goals. He was committed to God and the gospel, to his calling and the glory of God. This is how he closes out his letter:

"Now to him who is able to strengthen you according to my gospel and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery that was kept secret for long ages
but has now been disclosed and through the prophetic writings has been made known to all nations, according to the command of the eternal God, to bring about the obedience of faith - to the only wise God be glory forevermore through Jesus Christ! Amen." (25-27)

Paul was probably a really fun guy. A deep thinker. Loving. Harsh. A worshiper. Focused. Committed. Passionate. He had the big picture in mind. As Christians, we need to strive to be the kind of person that everyone likes to be around. It's not enough to just stay how we are and pull that "Well, that's just the way I am and you can't expect me to change" garbage. I think it's totally Scriptural that God does expect us to change. And if we aren't willing to be like Jesus, if that's not one of our desires, what are we doing calling ourselves his followers?

Father, you've taken me so far from where I used to be; who I used to be. Continue to change me for the better, because it's all worth it, and you're worth it.