None of us in our craziest imaginings would have seen the young Saul as the future committed missionary we now know as Paul. The first mention of him tells of his presence at the stoning of Stephen, where he cheered as he kept an eye on the belongings of those smashing the saint.

Hatred filled, Saul launched into a binge of persecutions against early Christ followers. He pursued this new calling not for a few months, but for a few years. His reputation as a guardian of his faith, and an unsparing opponent of Christianity, spread broadly. He was an influencer with vengeance.

Then Jesus blinded Saul on the road to Damascus and seared the evil from his soul. By his new name, Paul led the explosive growth of the church of Jesus Christ across the Roman world. His efforts ensured his own martyrdom in Rome. I wonder who watched the coats?

From Saul’s conversion we realize that no heart remains closed if the Lord chooses to open it. The Lord overpowers anyone he wishes. I find myself praying for all sorts of people, those I know or only read about, asking the Lord to blind them with His light. Only a searing brings certain folks to faith.

Pray for those you consider too far gone. Who knows what Saul lives in our midst?

Acts 8 in reading the Bible in 2023

Photo by James Day