In Acts 9, we read about the journey of Paul towards Damascus, which is located about 135 miles from Jerusalem. He was headed there to arrest and persecute followers of Jesus, just as he had been doing in Jerusalem. Jesus interrupts his journey, blinds him, tells him to knock it off, and sends him on in to Damascus where Paul’s conversion proceeds. Oh, and Paul gets his sight back.
Do you ever wonder about his entourage? What did they think? They weren’t just along for the ride, they were also engaged in persecution. The road to Damascus was not just a four lane highway that they were zipping along in their chariots. This was actually a tough journey, similar to most journeys in those times. What now?
Occasionally when I am praying for someone, usually a recalcitrant family member if I’m honest, I request a Road to Damascus experience for them. What I am seeking is a conversion experience that is bold and immediate. What I forget is Paul wasn’t the only traveler that day. Although we are only given the impact and influence on Paul, I imagine others also were impacted and influenced to varying degrees, possibly over longer periods of time, and in a myriad of ways.
Every road is His. He walks them all. We are not alone even when we deny His presence. How His presence impacts us and influences us varies from person to person, and for each person can vary from day to day.
The question is are we open to His presence in the murderous thundering rage of self-righteousness of our own Road to Damascus?
Just Sayin' 