“Then Barnabas went to Tarsus to look for Saul, and when he found him, he brought him to Antioch. So for a whole year Barnabas and Saul met with the church and taught great numbers of people. The disciples were called Christians first at Antioch” (Acts 11:25-26).

For those familiar with the New Testament, it’s difficult to realize that the apostle Paul was a forgotten man for at least ten years after his conversion. When Luke wrote the book of Acts and described Barnabas as looking for Paul, he used a word that implies difficulty in finding the object of the search. Paul had gone back to Tarsus and fallen into obscurity.

At Antioch, Barnabas found himself pastoring a congregation mostly consisting of Gentiles and he needed help in leading them. Then he remembered Paul, about whom God had said at his conversion, “This man is my chosen instrument to carry my name before the Gentiles” (Acts 9:15). Who better to help with this Gentile church than Paul who had been chosen to reach Gentiles? So, Barnabas goes to find him.

It is important to note that when Barnabas finds him Paul was ready. He wasn’t sulking and feeling overlooked but was preparing himself for the ministry that has reached down to us through his letters.

God is willing to take time to get us ready for what He wants us to do. He sent His Son, Jesus, to change the world. He gave Him thirty-three years of life on earth but only used three of them for His public ministry. Paul wasn’t a young man when he came to the fruition of his life’s ministry. He was preparing while hardly anyone noticed him so he could become the foremost minister and teacher of the early Church. God has significant moments for each of us. Keep preparing so you will be ready when your time comes. He knows how to find you.