A Transforming Voice

FOCUS TEXT

Acts 9:1-9

Meanwhile 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 who belonged to the Way, men or women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem. Now as he was going along and approaching Damascus, suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him. He fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?” He asked, “Who are you, Lord?” The reply came, “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. But get up and enter the city, and you will be told what you are to do.” The men who were traveling with him stood speechless because they heard the voice but saw no one. Saul got up from the ground, and though his eyes were open, he could see nothing; so they led him by the hand and brought him into Damascus. For three days he was without sight, and neither ate nor drank.

DAILY BYTE

As we continue to focus on how we encounter a God who is constantly seeking after us, I invite you to reflect on how Saul of Tarsus was transformed when Jesus spoke to him on the road to Damascus. Scripture tells us that Saul was about to reach Damascus when suddenly a light flashed around him and he fell to the ground and heard the voice of Jesus. In the beginning of the passage we read how Saul was breathing threats and murder against the Lord’s disciples. In the previous chapter we are told that Saul began to destroy the church and that he would drag women and men out of their homes and take them to prison. Jesus’s voice directly confronts Saul and the things that he was doing. Jesus’s words are not words of condemnation, but they are words that confront Saul’s sin and provide guidance. Jesus’ words provide Saul with instructions of what path he is to follow.

We know that this encounter that Saul had with Jesus was a deeply transformative one. We also know that after this encounter with Jesus, God used Saul of Tarsus mightily. The encounters that you and I have with God, which are initiated by our God who always takes the initiative, are transformative in nature. God is constantly providing ways for you and I to have an encounter with God. If we are honest with ourselves we will realize that there are aspects of our lives that need to be transformed. Personally I know that I struggle with many things and I often get frustrated with myself for being unable to change. But we must understand that if we really want to be transformed we need to intentionally step into spaces where God’s transformative power can gradually transform us into God’s image.

You may think: “Sure… it was easy for Paul. If the light of Jesus would literally blind me and take me to my knees, and if I could audibly hear Jesus’ voice confronting me and giving me guidance I would surely be transformed.” Trust me, many of us feel the same way. But I invite you to reflect on this statement: “Most of the time God’s voice is underwhelming rather than overwhelming… so we must have ears to listen to the voice of God.” These words are from Dr. Kenneth Carder, the resident bishop at Duke Divinity School in Durham North Carolina in the United States. Friends, God speaks to us today. The words of Jesus hold the same transformative power than they did that day on the road to Damascus. If the words of Jesus transformed a man who breathed murder and threats against Christians into the most influential writer in Christian history, surely the words of Jesus can transform you and me.

PRAY AS YOU GO

Father God, we praise you for Jesus your Word made flesh. We pray that through your Holy Spirit you help us hear the voice of Jesus. Pleas allow that life-giving voice to transform us into the individuals and communities that you want us to be. Help us have ears to listen to the Jesus. Allow us to be sensible to his words that often confront us with our sins and without condemning us, provide guidance for us to fallow on your path. Hear our prayers that we offer through Jesus your Son, amen.