pay attention!
Acts 9:3-4 (ESV)
3 Now as he went on his way, he approached Damascus, and suddenly a light from heaven shone around him. 4 And falling to the ground, he heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?”
So just a quick backstory on Saul in case you don’t know a thing about him. Saul was a Christian murderer. He killed believers and threw them in prison. Saul was very adamant that he was doing the right thing. In the couple of verses above, Saul was actually on the way to kill more believers when Jesus caught his attention– a blinding light from heaven & Jesus calling his name. This miraculous event that Paul experienced changed history and Saul’s life forever. Instead of Saul: ‘The Christian Murderer’, he became Paul: The Apostle (Important teacher who is sent out to preach the Gospel).
Now there are many reasons why I love this story. One of those reasons that we clearly see here is that God can use you to advance His kingdom, no matter your past mistakes. He can use you. But, I also love this story because we can see that God wants our attention! Now listen, I want to reemphasize that I love this story. This encounter with Saul changes everything… but, I often believe that we basically want this same encounter before we decide to get serious with our relationship with Jesus. We want to hear God’s audible voice say, “[Insert Name], remove all idols in your life and focus on Me.”, but then we ignore all of the other things that God is doing to get our attention.
God may have a friend or co-worker invite you to church… He wants your attention. Maybe you go to church for the first time in awhile and that message is perfect for you in the season that you are in… He wants your attention. Maybe you download the Bible App and your verse of the day so happens to be on the bumper on the car in front of you… He wants your attention.
Although it isn’t a flashing light from heaven… this whole post is a reminder that it doesn’t have to be. God is wanting your attention.
Proverbs 23:26 says, My son & daughters, give me your heart and let your eyes delight in my ways.
Give Him your heart. Don’t prolong your relationship with Christ because you need a “miraculous” moment to happen. God is doing the miraculous in the ordinary. Those “little” moments can change you from Saul to Paul. Pay Attention.
