Game-Changing MomentsSample

Saul the Pharisee and Paul the apostle; the same man, yet completely different creations. Saul the Pharisee — a man who was zealous for God, a man so dedicated to the teachings of the Torah that he lived a life committed to retaining its purity and holiness. Saul refused to let teachings of a “false messiah” adulterate the scriptures. This led him to largely participate in the persecution of the early disciples of Christ. By those seeking to share the gospel, Saul of​ Tarsus quickly became known as a man to be feared.

Saul was not the author of thirteen letters included in the New Testament, nor the man who was persecuted heavily for his faith in the Messiah. This was attributed to Paul, a man Saul never could have been in his own strength. What took Saul, a prideful Pharisee saved by his own works, and made him Paul, an apostle saved by grace? It took one game-changing moment.

“As he neared Damascus on his journey, suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him. He fell to the ground and heard a voice say to him, “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me? Who are you, Lord?” Saul asked. “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting”, he replied. “Now get up and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do” (Acts 9:3-6).

The journey to Damascus signified a turning point for Saul. A single moment revealed the profound truth that Jesus was the fulfillment of the Old Testament promise he had been intimately familiar with his entire life. Only through divine intervention could someone so intent on persecuting Christians be transformed into a man who would steadfastly endure persecution for the sake of Christ's name. Following this encounter, Saul entered into the calling that the Lord destined over his life, and upon departing Damascus, Paul emerged as an entirely transformed man.

Paul required fresh vision, both symbolically and physically. The Lord temporarily blinded Paul, and within that period, Paul’s vision was restored — first within his heart, and subsequently within his eyes.

How might you need the Lord to renew your vision in preparation for a game-changing moment?