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Sep 04, 2024 06:00am

You Were Born for This

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You were born for this.

A great storyteller can bring you straight into the scene, allowing you to experience every emotion related to the story and paint a realistic picture that resonates in your mind long after the story is finished.

I’ve noticed this quality in several people; one in particular is Donny Parrish. He has this beautiful gift of making you feel like you’re a part of the story. His background is in creative arts—music, theater, production—and I’m telling you, he could have used this incredible talent and gone anywhere in the world. He could have his name circulating in important circles of power, fame, and fortune, and I’m sure there were opportunities to do so.

But his “yes” wasn’t to the world. It was to Jesus.

God has used Donny in tremendous ways throughout the years. The Lord took that talent, carefully crafted and developed it, and has used it exponentially.

And it’s all been for His glory.

From the local church to the production of the SOAR Conference to the Director’s seat at Lifeword, Donny has been faithfully, passionately, and biblically telling the story of Jesus for decades. His big heart has so much love for the lost, those who are in this world but have no clue about the love Jesus has for them.

His voice has this incredible way of demanding an audience.

And God is still using it today.

Acts 9:1-3
“Meanwhile, Saul was still breathing out murderous threats against the Lord’s disciples. He went to the high priest
2 and asked him for letters to the synagogues in Damascus, so that if he found any there who belonged to the Way, whether men or women, he might take them as prisoners to Jerusalem.
3 As he neared Damascus on his journey, suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him.”

Saul.

A Pharisee.

A religious leader who knew the law of God- studied it, practiced it, upheld it.

And he hated Christians.

His anger was fueled by the power of the High Priests and their resentment and hatred towards Jesus and His teachings.

He was there at the stoning of Stephen.

Jesus’ followers had fled Jerusalem because the persecution had increased, and it wasn’t safe for them any longer.

But that didn’t stop Saul.

He was so passionate about getting rid of Christians that he would stop at nothing until they were all behind bars or dead. Christianity was spreading like wildfire, and he wanted to drown out the flame at the source.

Can you imagine what that kind of passion and zeal could do if it were used for good?

God did. He knew exactly how He wanted to use Saul. And He met him right there on that road.

Have you ever thought that maybe you have those talents and passions for a reason? Not just for personal gain…

But imagine how incredible it would be if used for God’s glory?

He’s ready to use you for His Kingdom. Will you say yes?

Donny did.

Saul did.

I did.

Will you?

If you want to know more about what it means to be a truly devoted follower of Christ, go to follow.lifeword.org.