Acts 9 - All around us

Yesterday we briefly discussed Saul and how he reminded me of a mob boss in the movies. This young, fearless, and brutal individual opened chapter 9, and today we see quite possibly the most radical conversion ever. Continuing the persecution, Saul had just received special permission from the rulers of the land.

“Meanwhile, Saul was still breathing out murderous threats against the Lord’s disciples. He went to the high priest and asked him for letters to the synagogues in Damascus, so that if he found any there who belonged to the Way, whether men or women, he might take them as prisoners to Jerusalem.” - ‭‭Acts‬ ‭9:1-2‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Basically, we read that Saul received a warrant for the arrest of any Christian in the land. This zealous and deranged young mercenary headed out to start the roundup, and he met Jesus. 

“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.” The men traveling with Saul stood there speechless; they heard the sound but did not see anyone. Saul got up from the ground, but when he opened his eyes he could see nothing. So they led him by the hand into Damascus. For three days he was blind, and did not eat or drink anything.” - ‭‭Acts‬ ‭9:3-9‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Every time I read this, I am first struck by the interaction, and try and imagine what Saul experienced...but as I read on I am most fascinated by Sauls cronies. The men traveling with this mercenary experienced this as well, but their experience wasn’t personal, and it lacked clarity. What I mean is they did not hear the voice of God.

“The men traveling with Saul stood there speechless; they heard the sound but did not see anyone.” - ‭‭Acts‬ ‭9:7‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Saul shares his testimony multiple times in Acts, here in chapter 22 he recalls it this way;

“My companions saw the light, but they did not understand the voice of him who was speaking to me.” - ‭‭Acts‬ ‭22:9‬ ‭NIV‬‬

I am going to continue into chapter 9 tomorrow so I can camp out here for a little bit. Here is a thought I am pondering. Sauls men around him were not believers, but lets put ourselves into this story and this picture. All around us, God is moving and transforming lives. Maybe not a radical conversion or intense situation like this, but God is moving in our midst, often. My question is this, can we find ourselves like Sauls cronies? Is God moving, speaking, and transforming lives all around us, and we just do not hear his voice, or understand the situations all around us? You see, if our perspective is off, if we are not looking for, anticipating in, or have the faith to believe, then we can find ourselves missing the move of God all around us. 

We read in the scriptures above that the men saw the light, heard a sound, but didn’t see or hear anything. They responded to their friends' situation and took him to town, but then we don't hear about them again. The Scripture is silent about them, so we do not know if they left unchanged or if they converted, we don’t know. But here is what I know, if God is moving around me, converting, transforming, speaking, and leading, I do not want my life to be silent about it. I want to have the eyes to see and the ears to hear God’s voice that is followed by the posture to move as He is asking. 

The book of Acts is about Action! We as a part of The Way, the Jesus movement, Christ-followers must live a life of action. Look at Saul.

“Then Ananias went to the house and entered it. Placing his hands on Saul, he said, “Brother Saul, the Lord—Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you were coming here—has sent me so that you may see again and be filled with the Holy Spirit.” Immediately, something like scales fell from Saul’s eyes, and he could see again. He got up and was baptized, and after taking some food, he regained his strength. Saul spent several days with the disciples in Damascus. At once, he began to preach in the synagogues that Jesus is the Son of God.” - ‭‭Acts‬ ‭9:17-20‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Instantaneously Saul got up and acted. He was baptized, he ate, he studied under other disciples, and then he began to preach. That my friend is action. 

Lord, you are moving all around us! Father, I pray that we have the eyes to see and the ears to hear your voice, to see your movement and God I pray we have the faith to take a step, to move and act according to your will. 

After I wrote and published this, I was reminded of this powerful worship song from Life.Church. Yes!!! Come and move how you want to, Jesus.