Paul, formerly known as Saul, had a dramatic calling that significantly transformed his personal life. Initially, Saul was a zealous persecutor of the early church, driven by his religious fervor to arrest and even consent to the death of Christians. However, on his way to Damascus to continue his persecution, Saul had a life-changing encounter with Jesus Christ.
In Acts 9:3-6 WEB, we read:
As he traveled, it happened that he got close to Damascus, and suddenly a light from the sky shone around him. He fell on the earth, and heard a voice saying to him, Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me? He said, Who are you, Lord? The Lord said, I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. But rise up, and enter into the city, and you will be told what you must do.
This encounter left Saul temporarily blinded, and he was led to Damascus where he fasted and prayed for three days. During this time, the Lord sent a disciple named Ananias to restore Saul's sight and fill him with the Holy Spirit. From this point forward, Saul, now known as Paul, dedicated his life to preaching the gospel of Jesus Christ, the very message he once sought to destroy.
Paul's calling had a profound impact on his personal life. He went from being a respected Pharisee to being a humble servant of Christ, enduring numerous hardships, imprisonments, and beatings for the sake of the gospel. His life was marked by a relentless pursuit to spread the good news of Jesus Christ to the Gentiles, establishing churches, and writing epistles that would later become a significant portion of the New Testament.
Paul's story serves as a powerful reminder of God's transformative power and His ability to use even the most unlikely individuals for His purposes. Let us pray for those who, like Paul, may be currently opposed to the gospel, that they too may have a life-changing encounter with Jesus Christ.
Lord Jesus, we thank You for the incredible transformation You brought into Paul's life. We pray for those who are currently opposed to the gospel, that they may have a similar encounter with You. Open their hearts to receive Your truth, and use them mightily for Your kingdom's sake. Help us to be faithful in sharing the gospel, even in the face of opposition, knowing that You can change the hardest of hearts. We ask all of this in Your precious name.