Another Crucial Turn

Scripture – Acts 9:1-9: ¹Meanwhile, Saul was still breathing out murderous threats against the Lord’s disciples. He went to the high priest ²and asked him for letters to the synagogues in Damascus, so that if he found any there who belonged to the Way, whether men or women, he might take them as prisoners to Jerusalem. ³As he neared Damascus on his journey, suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him. ⁴He fell to the ground and heard a voice say to him, “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?” ⁵“Who are you, Lord?” Saul asked. “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting,” he replied. ⁶“Now get up and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do. ” ⁷The men traveling with Saul stood there speechless; they heard the sound but did not see anyone. ⁸Saul got up from the ground, but when he opened his eyes he could see nothing. So they led him by the hand into Damascus. ⁹For three days he was blind, and did not eat or drink anything.

Reflection: – Here’s another crucial turning point in the life of the church. Obviously, it was a dramatic change in the life of young Saul. At the same time, most of us know the rest of the story. God has great plans for this passionate, faithful man.

Part of Saul’s problem was that his passion and faith were off the mark. He thought he was serving God until the moment described here. All at once he realized he was acting against God’s plan. As he was trying to persecute those “who belonged to the Way,” it became clear he was getting in the way of what God was doing.

And so his transformation began. The transformation of the church continued – as it still does today.

Where are you in that transforming process? When have you experienced God changing your direction? How open are you to His leading today?