Acts 22:17-30 NKJV

[17] “Now it happened, when I returned to Jerusalem and was praying in the temple, that I was in a trance [18] and saw Him saying to me, ‘Make haste and get out of Jerusalem quickly, for they will not receive your testimony concerning Me.’ [19] So I said, ‘Lord, they know that in every synagogue I imprisoned and beat those who believe on You. [20] And when the blood of Your martyr Stephen was shed, I also was standing by consenting to his death, and guarding the clothes of those who were killing him.’ [21] Then He said to me, ‘Depart, for I will send you far from here to the Gentiles.’ ” [22] And they listened to him until this word, and then they raised their voices and said, “Away with such a fellow from the earth, for he is not fit to live!” [23] Then, as they cried out and tore off their clothes and threw dust into the air, [24] the commander ordered him to be brought into the barracks, and said that he should be examined under scourging, so that he might know why they shouted so against him. [25] And as they bound him with thongs, Paul said to the centurion who stood by, “Is it lawful for you to scourge a man who is a Roman, and uncondemned?” [26] When the centurion heard that, he went and told the commander, saying, “Take care what you do, for this man is a Roman.” [27] Then the commander came and said to him, “Tell me, are you a Roman?” He said, “Yes.” [28] The commander answered, “With a large sum, I obtained this citizenship.” And Paul said, “But I was born a citizen.” [29] Then immediately those who were about to examine him withdrew from him; and the commander was also afraid after he found out that he was a Roman, and because he had bound him. [30] The next day, because he wanted to know for certain why he was accused by the Jews, he released him from his bonds, and commanded the chief priests and all their council to appear, and brought Paul down and set him before them.

Paul could have spared some of the details of what God said to him. He could have kept silent about the Gentiles. He could have been more forthcoming with his Roman lineage. Maybe he shared too much. Maybe his timing was less than impeccable. Either way, God used each detail of this confrontation, including being bound by the Roman guards, to convey His message to the target audience.

I was born to a working middle-class family. We had all we needed and a lot of what we wanted. I have always worked to provide for my family. I worked so much that I, at one point, comfortably afforded a few VERY unhealthy addictions. I am proud of where I came from. I am not proud of all I have done, but all of it combined has brought me to where I am today.

I am convinced that there is nothing outside of God's reach. He can take and use every single detail for His glory. The beautiful things, the ugly things, and all of the in-between things. They have meaning. They have purpose. They have good use for the Kingdom. My poor choices, my sins, and my mistakes... all the enemy meant for evil, God has turned it to good. (Genesis 50:20)