Encountering Jesus changes everything. When Paul the Apostle encountered Jesus on the road to Damascus, it flipped the script of his life. As he recounted later, Paul had an impressive background, at least from a worldly perspective. He had his family heritage, extensive education, and religious training. He was zealous for his faith. He knew all the rules. Out of his religious zeal, he persecuted Christians. He devoted his energy to finding them and dragging them to prison, thinking he was doing God’s work. Then He met Jesus.
Paul encountered the resurrected Jesus in a vision on the road to Damascus. He left religion and found relationship. He learned he couldn’t make himself righteous by rule-keeping. He learned righteousness only comes from Jesus. Those who put their faith in what Jesus accomplished on the cross are covered by His righteousness (2 Corinthians 5:17,21). Paul’s earthly accomplishments no longer meant anything to him. All that mattered now was knowing Jesus and living to honor Him. He spent the rest of his life proclaiming the Gospel so others could know Jesus. He did so at great cost to himself. From then on Paul lived with eternity in mind.
Taking an eternal view, changes the way we look at life. The world is drawn to riches and fame, but such things are fleeting. In God’s economy, earthly position doesn’t matter. At times, God may place someone in a prominent position, and use him to accomplish extraordinary things. Billy Graham and Martin Luther King are examples of how God works through someone and the whole world notices. But more often God works through ordinary people to accomplish His purposes in ways that are completely unnoticed by the world.
Every person in God’s kingdom is important. When people live by faith, everything they do becomes important. Godly parents who give their children a good foundation in their faith, a love of God’s word, and prepare them to meet life’s challenges by seeking God first, are carrying out eternal work. A coach or teacher who passes on godly principles can make an eternal difference in a child’s life. A businessman or accountant who does everything with integrity can make a difference in the lives of others. A person who holds his tongue when an angry response seems justified, is serving God. The world at large is unaware of such acts. But God sees, and it matters to Him. Every faithful act that contributes to building God’s kingdom is important.
The world cares about education, power, wealth and influence. God may uses some of the riches of this world to advance His kingdom. But nothing in this world is as important as knowing Him and living for Him. Encountering Jesus changes everything.
And whatever you do or say, do it as a representative of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through him to God the Father. Colossians 3:17 NLT
Whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God. 1 Corinthians 10:31 NLT
How has encountering Jesus made a difference in your life? Please leave a comment below.
Blessings,
Phyllis
© 2026 Phyllis L. Farringer
Image by Sven Lachmann from Pixabay
Thank you for the post, Phyllis. Yes, encountering Jesus changes everything. I’m thankful that in my attempts to consistently communicate with Jesus, God, and the Holy Spirit, He gives me so many blessings. It is everything worth anything.
Thank you, Joni. I appreciate your support.