Have You Had.A Road to Damascus Moment
Acts 9:1-16 (NIV) 1 Meanwhile, Saul was still breathing out murderous threats against the Lord’s disciples. He went to the high priest 2 and 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. 3 As he neared Damascus on his journey, suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him. 4 He 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.”
7 The men traveling with Saul stood there speechless; they heard the sound but did not see anyone. 8 Saul got up from the ground, but when he opened his eyes he could see nothing. So they led him by the hand into Damascus. 9 For three days he was blind, and did not eat or drink anything.
10 In Damascus there was a disciple named Ananias. The Lord called to him in a vision, “Ananias!”
“Yes, Lord,” he answered.
11 The Lord told him, “Go to the house of Judas on Straight Street and ask for a man from Tarsus named Saul, for he is praying. 12 In a vision he has seen a man named Ananias come and place his hands on him to restore his sight.”
13 “Lord,” Ananias answered, “I have heard many reports about this man and all the harm he has done to your holy people in Jerusalem. 14 And he has come here with authority from the chief priests to arrest all who call on your name.”
15 But the Lord said to Ananias, “Go! This man is my chosen instrument to proclaim my name to the Gentiles and their kings and to the people of Israel. 16 I will show him how much he must suffer for my name.”
And not only was a man named Saul changed, but Christianity was changed forever. Saul, who had made a name for himself by persecuting Christians, was chosen by Jesus to further the gospel. And a man named Saul of Tarsus was transformed into Paul, the Thirteenth Apostle. What an example to share with those who believe they have done too much to receive salvation!
Have you ever had a “Road to Damascus” moment? Allow me to share mine. In April 1987 we had a Lay Revival where we were asked to chart our spiritual growth over the past five years. I sang in the choir, taught adult Sunday School, was at church each time the doors were opened, yet when I charted my spiritual growth, I had flatlined. So, I began to pray in earnest that God would draw me to Him.
In August I was home alone getting ready to drive to Mena to pick up Jonathan from his grandparents. Suddenly the Holy Spirit flooded the room and I fell to my knees, praising God for all He was worth. And just like that my life was changed. I started reading the Bible daily, not just to check something off a to do list, but because it became life to me. I learned the meaning of praying fervently and I got up an hour early so that I could spend time with my Lord.
My “Road to Damascus” moment has seen me through financial difficulties, out of state moves, death of family and friends, and so much more. Yet, I say with assurance, Psalms 27:13 (NIV) 13 I remain confident of this:
I will see the goodness of the LORD
in the land of the living. my redeemer lives.”
When was the last time you remembered your “Road to Damascus” moment? It would serve us well to recall those times when God has gotten our attention and shaken us out of our stupor.
May we remember we were created for a purpose, and may we live up to that purpose until God calls us home.
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen
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