The Well
The Well |
|
Connecting Hope to the Hurting | |
Wednesday
August 20, 2008
Meanwhile, Saul was uttering threats with every breath. He was eager to
destroy the Lord's followers, so he went to the high priest. He requested
letters addressed to the synagogues in Damascus, asking their cooperation in the
arrest of any followers of the Way he found there. He wanted to bring them -
both men and women - back to Jerusalem in chains. As he was nearing Damascus on
this mission, a brilliant light from heaven suddenly beamed down upon him! He
fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to him, "Saul! Saul! Why are you persecuting me?"
"Who are you, sir?" Saul asked.
And the voice replied, "I am Jesus, the one you are persecuting! Now
get up and go into the city, and you will be told what you are to
do."
The men with Saul stood speechless with surprise, for they heard the sound of
someone's voice, but they saw no one! As Saul picked himself up off the ground,
he found that he was blind. So his companions led him by the hand to Damascus.
He remained there blind for three days. And all that time he went without food
and water.
Acts 9:1-9
Can you imagine with me for a few minutes that you are part of Saul's hunting party? Here we are, papers in hand, on our quest to arrest these radical people who call themselves Christians, the followers of that radical insane man Jesus. All of a sudden our leader falls to the ground (whether backward or forward doesn't matter), there is a strange light all around him, and we hear the voice of someone we can't see. Do you think we are afraid? I think so. Do you think God cared whether or not we were afraid? I think not.
Many of you have heard the term "slain in the Spirit" and many of you have experienced it. To say adamantly that it isn't from God limits Him in many ways. God has done and will do many things that are not supported by His Word if it takes that to get the attention of people.
I know that God works in mysterious ways His wonders to perform. I know of little children who have died, families that have died, and babies who were stillborn and the people who loved them were outraged that God would allow such horror! Many people actually turned away from their faith because they couldn't love a God who would allow these things to happen. I'm not one of them.
God knocked Paul down and blinded him to get his attention. He needed his priorities and his perspective changed. What will it take to get us to examine our lives and our faith in Him?
I'm not here to say that everyone should be "slain in the Spirit" nope! I'm saying we should never believe that God won't make us uncomfortable to get our attention and change our lives.
Father, please forgive me if I have placed limitations on Your moving in my life or the lives of those I love. I want all that You have for me. I know I'm not there yet, but I'm willing to be willing to learn more about You!
