Holy Makeover! – January 25

Today’s Readings: Conversion of St. Paul: AM Psalm 19; Isaiah 45:18-25; Philippians 3:4b-11; PM Psalm 119:89-112; Ecclesiasticus 39:1-10; Acts 9:1-22

The conversion of St. Paul is fascinating to me. This firebrand – first named Saul – was actively persecuting the people following Jesus, the people of the Way. Saul was trying to ferret out and crush the anonymity of these men and women, to capture and hand them over to the Jewish authorities in Jerusalem. Saul was a self-righteous, legalistic zealot. We read of his own testimony in Philippians 3 this morning, and a third-person account in Acts 9. While on the road, approaching Damascus, a light from heaven flashed brightly where he was standing. Saul fell to the ground. He was instantly blinded. He heard a voice: “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me? I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. But get up and enter the city, and you will be told what you are to do.” (Acts 9:4-6) The people traveling with Saul also heard the voice, but not the speaker of the message. They had to help him up and guided him to their destination.

The divine intersection on this dusty road changed Saul’s life; his faith was clarified and his future began to become more clear. He met Ananias who God sent to be with Saul as his sight was restored. Laying hands on Saul, he said, “Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus, who appeared to you on your way here, has sent me so that you may regain your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit.” (Acts 9:17) The blindness fell away immediately. He was baptized, had some food, and then began telling others of Jesus” “He is the Son of God.” People rubbed their eyes in confusion, seeing the persecutor shift to the proclaimer. What a holy makeover!

We all have a different story about how we have come to where we are at this moment in faithfulness. Some may feel that Jesus is holding their hand right now. Others have had meaningful prayer time or a tingly warmth during an experience many years ago. There are those who wonder if they have ever sensed the presence of God. My process of coming to know, believe, and follow Jesus was not dramatic (or traumatic). It was a slow process, inch by inch and row by row. Incremental. Patient. Definitely not the compelling story of Saul’s conversion to the apostle Paul. And yet, like Paul, our processes of saying yes to God continue daily.

How will you say yes to God and listen for Jesus in your life today? And who will you tell?

-- Katherine+

Questions for Reflection

 What does conversion mean for you?

Who has shared a story of their own conversion or awakening with you? How do you talk about your own awakening of faith?

Daily Challenge

Write down what you know about your baptism, whether from family records or your own memory. Then, think of other times in your life when you have felt renewed or as if you've been given a fresh start. Reflect on where God was then and where you see Jesus now as you think back on those threshold moments.