Have ever watched a sporting event or been part of a team that took a time out? A time out is used by the coach to stop an opponent’s momentum, to calm a team down, or regroup. Small children may receive a time out to correct bad behavior. A time out enables the child to calm down and to think about what she is doing. Even as adults, sometimes we need a time out.
Saul was persecuting the followers of Jesus. God needed to get his attention, so He decided to intervene in a dramatic way. It was God’s underserved love in action that saved Paul from his own sinfulness.
Acts 9:3 As he was approaching Damascus on this mission, a light from heaven suddenly shone down around him. 4 He fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to him, “Saul! Saul! Why are you persecuting me?” 5 “Who are you, lord?” Saul asked. And the voice replied, “I am Jesus, the one you are persecuting! 6 Now get up and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do.” 7 The men with Saul stood speechless, for they heard the sound of someone’s voice but saw no one! 8 Saul picked himself up off the ground, but when he opened his eyes he was blind. So his companions led him by the hand to Damascus. 9 He remained there blind for three days and did not eat or drink. [1]
Three days is a long time to be blind and not eat or drink. The Lord stopped the evil Saul was doing and gave him three days in darkness to think and pray. God had Saul’s attention and he would never be the same.
If you were Saul, how would have this affected, you? How would losing your sight and depending on others humble you? How does being humble enable us to be more teachable and open to God’s plan and dependent on Him? If the Lord gave you a time out today, what would He be trying to teach you? How would that change your life if you put that teaching into action?
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https://podpoint.com/light-of-christ-church-podcast/the-call-saulpaul
[1] Tyndale House Publishers. (2015). Holy Bible: New Living Translation (Ac 9:3–9). Carol Stream, IL: Tyndale House Publishers.