Galatians 1:11-17

Galatians 1:11-17 
English Standard Version (ESV) 

  A few important things to point out here.  First, Paul talks about how he received his faith.  It wasn't something he achieved or something he figured out.  He didn't advance far in a certain class and become qualified for Christianity 101.  No, Paul was lost and on the wrong road, persecuted the church when he received his faith.  Christianity is not about who you are and what you've figured out along the way -- it's about what God has done in Christ.
  Second, notice how Paul's zeal is for the wrong thing -- he's zealous for his father's traditions, but not for his faith, and not for God.  As a member of the throng that just watched the Super Bowl, it's always interesting to think about the passion that the country can find for football, but that is so often placed for sports.  Someone much smarter than I talked about how if an alien came to this planet, they'd assume that Saturdays were for worship based on the passion the crowds have for the games.  Maybe your zeal isn't for football, but take a moment and think about the last 5 things you were really excited about.  Now, don't think for a second that it's bad to get excited about things other than the church.  It's great that we get to be a part of a wonderful world where we have amazing things!  But let's make sure we're still putting God first and thanking God for the opportunity to enjoy a great meal or a beautiful park or a football game -- those things don't have to interfere with our worship of God.
  Finally, note that Paul takes the time to say that God set him apart before Paul was born.  The same is true of you -- God made you, and God knew you completely before you were born.  That means that God knew about the mistakes you were going to make and the highs and lows, and God still made you and claimed you and redeems you from the pit.  There is nowhere you can go that God is not already there.