The Road to Damascus
Recently I was traveling in Virginia, and I saw signs for Damascus. Damascus is in south central VA almost at the NC Border. It is beautiful country as is all of rural Virginia. There is a simplicity about the surroundings. These towns are blue collar. Home to hard-working men and women, small town fairs, and hometown diners. In other words, my kind of landscape.
As we were driving to and through Damascus, the Lord brought to mind the Road to Damascus from the Bible. Many are familiar with the significance of the road to Damascus but for those who aren’t, let me share a little. The road to Damascus was where Paul heard Jesus’ voice which turned his world upside down.
Paul was known as Saul when he was on his way to Damascus. He had a letter from the high priest in Jerusalem giving him authority to arrest any who belonged to “the Way” meaning those who followed Jesus Christ. This meant he could arrest Christians and drag them 140 miles back to Jerusalem for prosecution or worse. Saul hated Christ and anyone associated with Him. He was so intent on “opposing the name of Jesus of Nazareth” that in “raging fury,” he breathed “threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord.” (Acts 26)
Imagine what a surprise it must have been for poor old Saul, when on his journey to Damascus, a bright light shone on him from heaven and everyone traveling with him causing them to fall to the ground. Then, as if that’s not enough. Jesus calls Saul out, “Why are you persecuting me?” It was a voice only Saul could understand. Saul must have recognized it was a deity of some type because he called Him Lord, “And he said, “Who are you, Lord?” And he said, “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. But rise and enter the city, and you will be told what you are to do.” (Acts 9:5-6)
I can’t even imagine the terror Saul must have felt when he realized he was in the presence of the very man he had been persecuting. How did Saul respond? He asked Jesus what He wanted him to do. The Bible doesn’t tell us if he asked that because he was in fear for his life. But in my humble opinion, I think it was. This was no ordinary run in. Saul was blinded by the encounter. Jesus told Saul to go to Damascus and there he would be told what to do. His friends had to guide him because he could not see! I’d say that was pretty intense. After three days of not eating and drinking, a Christian named Ananias was led to Saul by God to lay hands on him and heal him of his blindness. Saul’s eyesight returned; however, the spiritual vision he received that day was far more important. Saul repented, was baptized, received the Holy Spirit and became one of the greatest preachers for Jesus. He began teaching all the things that just days before, he would have killed others for uttering. His missions are documented throughout the Bible and thousands of people came to know Jesus after one encounter on the Road to Damascus.
People often think that Jesus changed Saul’s name to Paul on that road to Damascus. But that isn’t true. Saul’s name was always Paul. The custom of dual names was common in this time. Paul was a Jew from the Roman city of Tarsus. He was proud of his Jewish heritage (Philippians 3:5). Persecuting Christians was a natural way for him to show his devotion to his Hebrew parentage. He chose to use his Hebrew name, Saul, during that time. Sometime after he believed in Jesus and began to preach for Christ, he chose to use his Roman name Paul. It would make sense as Paul traveled farther and farther into the Gentile world. Some scholars believe that Paul may have chosen to use his Roman name, Paul, meaning “little” or “small,” because he wanted to become smaller so that he could present Jesus as greater. Whatever the reason, Paul was a different person after his encounter with Jesus. Perhaps he wanted to embrace a new identity. His identity in Jesus.
It makes me wonder. What is your road to Damascus? Have you had that encounter with Jesus that opened your eyes to a relationship with the one who laid down his life for you on the cross? Maybe it wasn’t as earth shattering as Saul’s. Maybe it was a gradual stroll where Jesus revealed Himself to you little by little. Everyone’s journey to Jesus is unique. And everyone’s calling from Jesus is unique. What should not be unique is our answer to that calling: “What do you want me to do?”
In every encounter with Jesus, there is a gifting. A mission. A journey. One that has been specifically designed for you. It is something only you can do. It is the calling on your heart. And it is put there by Jesus. Maybe you are called to share the gospel around the world. Maybe in your community. Maybe your calling is to be a prayer warrior – for family, friends, strangers, countries, causes. Maybe you are called to serve in a specific way -volunteering, leading, teaching. For me, part of my calling is certainly to write and share the love of Jesus through this blog. But it took me 25 years to get here. Perhaps that was His timeline, or perhaps it was delayed because I didn’t trust that Jesus would gift me in the ways He would use me. You see, I’ve wanted to write for Jesus for as long as I can remember. I never felt good enough, smart enough, and most importantly worthy.
And what’s worse than not asking critical question over 25 years ago – “What do you want me to do?” is that when I felt the calling, I ignored it. My road to Damascus was blocked by fear and doubt. Human frailty. I chose to listen to the enemies’ lies rather than the assurance of the God who called to me. The Jesus who met me in my living room and said, “I love you. I forgive you. You are my child.” And most importantly, “I need you to go where I send you and trust me to open your eyes to all I have planned for you.”
Saul was terrified on the road to Damascus. It’s okay if you are. But Jesus will never call you to more than his grace and provision can provide. Close your eyes. Let Jesus take your hands and guide you. Stop relying on what you think you see. Look through the eyes of your savior. Because your Damascus is just the beginning.
If you haven’t met Jesus yet, I encourage you to pray for your Damascus moment. Ask Jesus into your heart and to forgive you of your sins. Commit your life to serve Him and grow in relationship with Him. And change your name from sinner to saved.
Simple Prayer of Salvation: “Dear God, I know I’m a sinner, and I ask for your forgiveness. I believe Jesus Christ is Your Son. I believe that He died for my sin and that you raised Him to life. I want to trust Him as my Savior and follow Him as Lord, from this day forward. Guide my life and help me to do your will. I pray this in the name of Jesus. Amen.”