Recognizing A Profound Change In Direction

In 1865, the initial responsibility of the United States Secret Service in their creation, was to deal with counterfeiters in an attempt to protect the dollar, the end result being the protection of America’s national economy.

However, this group of law enforcement officers experienced a change of direction in 1902. They became best known for protecting the President of the United States, although today, their responsibilities embodies a variety of tasks (see history).

The change of direction in the duties of the Secret Service is nothing compared to the completely altered lives of those members of the church in Thessalonica. They had a spiritual transformation that turned their lives around, which was noticed by people far and wide.

Paul praised them by saying, “You turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God” (1 Thessalonians 1:9). And “you became examples to all in Macedonia and Achaia who believe ….Your faith toward God has gone out” (1 Thessalonians 1:7-8).

The change of direction they displayed was dramatic, in the sense of their abandoning their worship of idols to embrace a close and abiding relationship with the true and living God (1 Thessalonians 1:9). And as a result, the people of that day noticed a dramatic difference in their lives.

Beloved, let us ask ourselves, do the people we come in contact with on a daily basis, recognize such a profound change in our hearts and lives?

—Mike Riley, Gospel Snippets