Acts 9

But Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest and asked him for letters to the synagogues at Damascus, so that if he found any belinging to the Way, men or women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem. Now as he went on his way, he approached Damascus and suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him. And falling to the ground he heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?” And he said, “Who are you, Lord?” And he said, “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting.”

As I was reading this today I thought about what that must have been like. I mean imagine, in all good conscious and faith  trying to do what you feel is right and then everything you thought to be wrong came to you and told you different. Wow, I bet Saul felt shame, guilt, and even extreme remorse as he thought back to all the people he had put in prison and persecuted because they had worshiped Jesus, the one whom he just had an amazing encounter with. I wonder if Jesus had been trying to get his attention before this? Jesus didn’t even tell him to stop persecuting people. He didn’t discipline him. He just introduced himself and told Saul to go into the city for further instruction.

I wonder if my life is the same in that I am just going about my day doing what I think is OK, but never stopping to hear from Jesus what he really thinks? Last week I was facilitating a devotional time in San Francisco. After thinking and thinking about what I should do I decided to ask Jesus. I had this impression that instead of just sitting around a room talking about Him we should get out and spent 30 minutes on the street bringing Jesus to others.

I met this girl Emily, she was a busker on the street who played the violin. She told me that it was tough and that she hopes that one day she can make it in the city with her talent. In our conversation I told her that God loves her gift and wants her to use it. I prayed with her that God would open up doors for her and that she would receive favor in the city. She seemed totally grateful. I wasn’t preachy, I just told her about the character of Jesus.

I  was amazed at the end of the devotional as many people shared about their interaction with others. Some had good conversations, others were just in the right place at the right time and were available, others shared some food and others prayed for people’s needs. I don’t want to spend my time like Saul before his encounter with Jesus, just doing what I feel is right without asking if Jesus is with me in it. I guess that is my devo for the day. Thanks for reading.

picture by Jim Baker