“And I said, ‘Lord, they themselves know that in one synagogue after another I imprisoned and beat those who believed in you.’” – Acts 22:19
Paul stands as a vivid reminder of God’s power to redeem, restore, and powerfully use anyone! God took a vicious persecutor of Christians and turned him into the most zealous and impactful preacher, teacher, and church planter for Christ ever. God literally used Paul to change the world for Jesus despite (or perhaps because of) his previous hatred for Jesus. God accomplished this despite the widespread fear of Paul within the church.
Everyone knew how Paul used to be. Paul himself never forgot his sinful brutality. But Jesus changed him and used him for His greater glory and Kingdom. What an encouragement that is to us!
If you feel like something in your past or present keeps you from being useful to God, Paul’s story makes clear that isn’t true. If you feel like the sins of your past are too great to serve the Lord, clearly not! If you feel like your apathy, inactivity, or fear in the past or present have gone on too long to serve the Lord, clearly not! If you feel like your reputation in the eyes of other Christians is too stained to serve the Lord, clearly not!
God has prepared good works for you personally to do (Ephesians 2:10). Don’t tell yourself that you aren’t worthy to do them. Don’t tell yourself that you’re disqualified from doing them. If there’s some sin you need to confess to God, go ahead and confess it. Then do whatever God’s called you to do. If Paul can, you can!