An Unlikely Choice

Acts 9:1-19

Saul of Tarsus. This highly educated man thought that Christianity was both wrong and deceptive. He was still waiting for the expected Messiah. So, in persecuting Christians, Saul thought he was serving God. While Saul was in the throes of his persecution, Jesus appeared to Saul and told him to stop persecuting Him. 

It’s here that Saul asks the right questions. He asks, “Who are You, Lord?” and “Lord, what do You want me to do?” Saul responded with two of the most important questions anyone can (and must) ask. 

“Who are You, Lord?” We must ask this question with a humble heart and ask it to God. Jesus showed us exactly who God is, and He can answer this question. 

“What do You want me to do?” Few dare to really ask God this question, but when we ask it, we must ask it with submission and determined obedience. 

When Saul is confronted by Jesus, he is obedient. He believes. He changes. He chose to leave his life of persecution and follow Jesus. 

Saul is an unlikely choice. If God were to choose anyone to share His message of love and hope, no one would expect that it would be Saul - the man who persecuted Christians. The man who wanted nothing to do with Jesus. 

This should give us hope for people who are far from God. Saul was as far away from following Jesus as anyone could be. Yet, God chose him. In our limited view, we sometimes dismiss people from being used by God. We think that they are so far from Him that there’s no way God could use them. The conversion of Saul reminds us of God’s ways being higher than ours. 

Saul’s transformation is remarkable and radical. Why should we not expect God to do big things in lives today?