Consider the story of the Apostle Paul's conversion. His original name was Saul. He is first introduced to us at the stoning of Stephen in Acts 7:58b, where we are told that, "the witnesses laid down their clothes at the feet of a young man named Saul." The next thing we hear about Saul is found in Acts 8:3, which says, "As for Saul, he made havoc of the church, entering every house, and dragging off men and women, committing them to prison." The disciples scattered and "went everywhere preaching the word" (v. 4). And Saul was never far behind.
In Acts 9:1-2, the persecution begins to escalate: "Then Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest 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." Then the fireworks begin!
"As he journeyed, he came near Damascus, and suddenly a light shone around him from heaven. Then he fell to the ground, and heard a voice saying to him, 'Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?'" (vv. 3-4). The Lord certainly had his attention! "And he said, 'Who are You, Lord?' Then the Lord said, 'I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting…' So he, trembling and astonished, said, 'Lord, what do You want me to do?' Then the Lord said to him, 'Arise and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do'" (vv. 5a, 6).
Now things really get interesting. "And the men who journeyed with him stood speechless, hearing a voice but seeing no one. Then Saul arose from the ground, and when his eyes were opened he saw no one" (vv. 7-8a). Saul was blinded by the bright light of Jesus, so his men "led him by the hand and brought him into Damascus. And he was three days without sight, and neither ate nor drank" (vv. 8b-9).
"Now there was a certain disciple at Damascus named Ananias" (v. 10a). Then in a vision, the Lord said to Ananias, "Arise and go to the street called Straight, and inquire at the house of Judas for one called Saul of Tarsus, for behold, he is praying. And in a vision he has seen a man named Ananias coming in and putting his hand on him, so that he might receive his sight" (vv. 11-12). After some discussion because of who Saul is, the Lord said to Ananias, "Go, for he is a chosen vessel of Mine to bear My name before Gentiles, kings, and the children of Israel. For I will show him how many things he must suffer for My name's sake" (vv. 15-16).
Ananias went and laid his hands on Saul saying, "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" (v. 17). And the Lord worked a miracle. "Immediately there fell from his eyes something like scales, and he received his sight at once; and he arose and was baptized" (v. 18). The Lord had Saul's attention and changed his life. "So when he had received food, he was strengthened. Then Saul spent some days with the disciples at Damascus" (v. 19).
That is how the Lord works. He does whatever He has to do to get your attention, and then He works a miracle in your life to accomplish His purpose. As with Saul, He wants you to trust Him by faith and receive Him as your Lord and Savior. Then He will lead you in the way He wants you to go. Have you trusted Jesus with your life? Are you following Him in whatever way He is leading? I pray you are. Amen.
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