“Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle and set apart for the gospel of God” (Romans 1:1).

When Paul wrote that he was “set apart for the gospel of God” he used a word that is full of meaning. “Set apart” is a translation of the word, aphorizo. It is the word from which we get our word “horizon.” Paul was saying that with the call of Jesus, his horizon was enlarged. His new horizon was the challenge of carrying the good news about Jesus to everyone he could reach.

While some may think that the call of God will limit their lives the opposite is true. When God calls us He expands our horizons. Before He calls us we may be living to find security for ourselves and our families, His call gives us a much larger purpose. He takes care of our security and gives us the opportunity of bringing the good news about Jesus to others who can see their lives changed.

When we get to heaven we will see just how wide those horizons really are. Paul’s writings reached out to me and helped me understand how awesome Jesus is and how wonderful His salvation really is. Who would have thought that a missionary in the first century could have reached this far? Who knows the extent to which any of our horizons may reach when Jesus calls us? Responding to Jesus’ call will not limit any of us. It will open us up to influence we could never have imagined. It will reach so far that it will touch others and enhance their lives as they, too, open their lives to Jesus.