What Do You See?
Opening Prayer
Ask the Holy Spirit to help you see a new picture of God today as you read this passage now.
Read Acts 9:1-9
[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. Scripture taken from the THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION
Reflect
What momentous encounter did Paul have on this journey?Saul thought he had it all figured out. Commissioned by the high priest, this highly intelligent and educated Jew was certain he was doing God’s will in pursuing and capturing these disciples of Jesus. Like many others (Luke 24:18-20), Saul might well have seen Jesus before his crucifixion; he would almost certainly have heard about him. But Saul did not recognize Jesus at that time or understand him. To help him open his eyes, Jesus makes Saul blind. To help him open his mind he gives him a question to ponder (4). Saul is brought to his knees, both literally and metaphorically. Has God shaken you and made you ask questions, or see things in a different way? Sometimes, in order to move forward with God, we have to be stopped in our tracks–and that can be painful. But God never lets us out of his hands and his goal is to draw us closer to him. Maybe you, like Paul, have pictured God in a particular way for a long time, and need to re-encounter him in a fresh way. Remember that God is infinite; we will take all of eternity to learn about him.
Apply
Are there any ways that you need God to open your spiritual “eyes”? How can you draw closer to God?
Closing prayer
Ask God to help you encounter him in a new and fresh way today, even if it may not feel comfortable!
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