"Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you came, has sent me that you may receive your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit." (Acts 9:17)
Paul had his agenda, and then the Lord had His. Saul was on his way in his religious zeal to persecute and imprison Christians in Damascus. But on the journey God stepped into Saul's life. It was no subtle suggestion or hint that Saul should turn from his ways. No, we're talking about a Holy Ghost body slam. God stopped Saul in his tracks with a blinding light and an audible voice. You can read the story in Acts 9.
Sometimes the Lord needs to use extreme measures in order to get our attention. God knew that Saul was really set in his ways and that it was going to take a strong awakening to change him. Perhaps you have the same story or you know someone else who had a "divine life interruption." Nevertheless, there are many people who, for one reason or another, come to the "end of themselves" and turn to the Lord, sometimes out of desperation.
What;s of note in this story is that the Lord didn't just tell Saul to stop hurting His people. No, the beauty of our God is that He was going to give Saul a second chance in life. He was going to turn his zeal into something great for His kingdom. In fact, the account in Acts 26 shows that the Lord immediately began to impart to Saul, now Paul, His plan for his life. The Lord said, "I have appeared to you for this purpose, to make you a minister." (Acts 26:16)
From then on Paul's life was one of great zeal still, but this time it was directed toward the building of God's kingdom. Later on Paul shared with Timothy his awareness of where he came from by saying, "Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am chief." (1 Timothy 1:15) But he was also very well aware that he had a second chance in life by declaring it was the "law of the Spirit of Life in Christ Jesus that made me free." (Romans 8:3)
This lesson today shows us that irrespective of where one has been in life, God can step in and allow us to start over again. He can give us a second change...even to the worst of sinners. It may require stern measures, but in the end God will have His way. If he can change Paul, He can change anybody. Now pray a prayer today for someone who needs a new start in life.
From the issue of Jubilee Journey, Living in Faith Everyday. 175 Nortech Parkway, San Jose CA 95134. www.jubilee.org
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