February 7, 2019
Acts 9:19-25
On the road to Damascus, Saul’s journey to arrest Christians takes a momentary detour. Light encircles him, he falls off his horse to the earth, and hears a voice address him by saying his name twice (meaning pay attention). Who is speaking? The voice identifies himself as Jesus and asks Saul, “Why are you persecuting me?” In this moment, Saul realizes even though he thought he was doing the will of God by stomping out the sparks of Christianity he was actually opposing the One True God.
The experience leaves Saul blinded by the Light. In his own strength and ability he is helpless and weak. But God wants to be his strength; so, God sends Ananias (a disciple) to lay hands on Saul and pray for him to receive the Holy Spirit so he may have spiritual sight.
We can all find ourselves detoured in life and blinded from the Truth. Pleasing God may be our desire, but as humans we see dimly. We must remain humble and welcome God to bring Light to anything wayward within us. This experience changes Saul. He proceeds to preach Christ with passion and determination. He knows Christ is real; he knows Christ is Messiah. Now, Saul will be on the other end of persecution. Yet, God will deliver him again and again to continue preaching Truth. Never give up sharing about Jesus; God is with you, too.