Who are You, Sir?

“The God of our fathers long ago designated you to know His will, to look upon the Just One, and to hear the sound of His voice...” Acts 22:14

Today is the Feast of the Conversion of Saint Paul. Paul’s conversion story is fascinating just like many conversion stories I have heard and read about. Paul was a fierce Jew, a Roman citizen and a Pharisee. Before he knew Christ, he persecuted Christians, and was looking on while Saint Stephen, the first Christian martyr, was being stoned. 

But God had a plan for him, a purpose for this man who burned with hatred for Christians that he was willing to seek them out and bring them back to Jerusalem and have them persecuted. On his way to Damascus, a great light from heaven shone around him like a spotlight, and he fell to the ground. “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?”

“Who are you, sir?” He asked, and the answer came, “I am Jesus of Nazareth whom you are persecuting.” After that, Paul was given his marching orders to go to Damascus and “there you will be told about everything appointed for you to do.” 

Perhaps we may think why isn’t there a dramatic voice from heaven calling to me, a miracle that would help me strengthen my faith? As a Pharisee, Paul knew the Mosaic Laws, the Torah, the Prophets, the rites and services at the Temple. He studied all that and was a zealous Pharisee. When Jesus called him, I believe He knew Paul would be just as zealous about Him and the gospel. 

Today, we have the benefit of the Bible. Just like in school, we go step by step, we need to learn the foundations before we graduate to deeper knowledge. If we study the Bible, reading about the life of Jesus, the letters of Paul and the other books of the Bible, God will meet us there. He will answer our questions. 

Do we have a deep conviction that we are so important to God, even when we sin against Him? The answer is in the Bible. Do we know what it means to be human? Do we know our purpose? It’s all in the Bible. There is so much to absorb and digest in that great collection of Books! We will never be able to finish reading and rereading God’s love letters, His instructions to us. If we start there, I am sure God will give us miracles and wonders!