SCRIPTURE - Acts 22:10-11
Paul relates his conversion experience to the Jewish crowd in Jerusalem. As part of that story, he tells them how he was struck down to the ground and blinded by an intense light. His response to this event and Jesus speaking to him in verse 10 is significant. He says to Jesus “ What shall I do, Lord ?”
APPLICATION
Paul’s blindness was caused by the intense brilliance of the light of Christ shining into his life. Imagine you’re on a trip, doing what you think is the work of God like Paul was - when suddenly you are struck down to the ground and blinded by someone who says – “Heh, Saul, why are you persecuting me ?!” Saul’s first reaction seems pretty typical – “who are you ?!” I would want to know that as well. But then when he finds out who it is, he asks a significant question - “What shall I do Lord ?” Remember, Paul wasn’t even a believer yet. He was on the way to persecute the Christians in Damascus. Yet he asked - “what shall I do Lord ?”
I know in my own life, even though I am a believer and I have the Holy Spirit living in my life, when something traumatic happens to me, my first question often is - “Why, Lord ?” I don’t always react the way Paul acted – immediately asking the Lord what to do. My attitude is somewhat similar to blindness. I am blinded to God’s working in my life and react with the same attitude the Jewish crowds had - with anger, thrashing out against whatever is interfering with my plans. I mean, if I had been on that road to Damascus, I probably would have said something like – “Heh, Lord, what’s the deal ? I’m on the way to take care of those awful Christians who are perverting the scriptures and going against the law of Moses. Why are you messing with me ?!!”
Paul was blinded in his eyes by the intensity of God’s light. But much worse is the blindness in my heart when I close up to what God is trying to do in me. I am blinded in my heart and don’t allow him access - to mold, shape and change me into the man He wants me to be. When things happen in my life that may cause some discomfort, I so often ask the question “why Lord” instead of asking the much more appropriate question – “what should I do Lord ?” I forget God’s loving purpose in my life – working all things in my life to accomplish his perfect will - changing me into the image of Christ. I must learn to remember that as I walk along the “road to Damascus”.
PRAYER
Father in Heaven, help me to stop asking the “why” questions when something happens in my life that I don’t like. Help me to turn toward you with the same question that Paul asked – “what do you want me to do, Lord ?” Keep my heart open and searching for you all the time. Don’t allow my heart to grow blind to you and forget your loving grace and mercy in my life. Keep my spiritual eyes open, in every single thing that comes my way in this life you have called me to. In Jesus name, Amen
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