CONVERTED AND BLINDED
Acts 9:1-9

This is how the Bible described the man that was used by God to write most of the New Testament, “Then Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest 2 and asked letters from him to the synagogues of Damascus, so that if he found any who were of the Way, whether men or women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem.” (Acts 9:1-2) Saul was a serious minded persecutor and did not take chances persecuting Jesus either on the way or out of the way. Saul would go outside of his area looking for followers of Christ to persecute. Saul was on a mission to Damascus to carry out his business, before he encountered the power that converted him to be on a mission for the propagation of the business kingdom. Indeed, the hand of God is not limited to redirect, deliver or deny all that has been persecuting you physically, spiritually or emotionally. Saul, during his journey, “… He came near Damascus, and suddenly a light shone around him from heaven.” (Acts 9:3) It was in this light that he encountered Jesus, with no choice for him but to respond with trembling and a request from the Lord of what to do for the Lord. Saul, during the time of this conversion, he lost his eyesight. The Bible described that, “Then Saul arose from the ground, and when his eyes were opened he saw no one. But they led him by the hand and brought him into Damascus. 9 And he was three days without sight, and neither ate nor drank.” (Acts 9:8-9) A man that was full of threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, a man with the permission from the high priest to the synagogues of Damascus, so that if he found any who were of the Way, whether man or woman, he might bring them, bound to Jerusalem, could not see at his entering into Damascus. He wanted to harass the disciples, but heaven harassed him, and threatened him with a lack of sight for three days. Saul lost the sight of his world to gain a sight for the Word of God. So many have converted, but retained the sight of this world. It is not possible to grow with any new encounter when there is a reluctance to part with the old. To Saul, there was no struggle of moving forward with the calling of his life. Saul never turned his back into his old world of persecuting believers directly or indirectly. A new name, from Saul to Paul, likewise a new sight was all that made the difference in the calling of Paul the apostle. God has not stopped in touching life if you will ask, “Lord what do you want me to do” like Paul asked.
Prayer for today: Lord, I ask that You enable me to answer you in every area of my calling, in Jesus name Amen.