“But Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest and asked for letters to the synagogues at Damascus, so that if he found any belonging to the Way,.. he might bring them bound to Jerusalem. Now as he went on his way, he approached Damascus, and suddenly a light from heaven shone around him. And falling to the ground, he heard a voice saying to him, ‘Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?’ 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…’ Saul rose from the ground, and although his eyes were opened, he saw nothing. So they led him by the hand and brought him into Damascus. And for three days he was without sight, and neither ate nor drank.
“Ananias departed and entered the house. And laying his hands on him he said, ‘Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus who appeared to you on the road by which you came has sent me so that you may regain your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit.’ And immediately something like scales fell from his eyes, and he regained his sight. Then he rose and was baptized; and taking food, he was strengthened.
“For some days he was with the disciples at Damascus. And immediately he proclaimed Jesus in the synagogues, saying, ‘He is the Son of God.’ And all who heard him were amazed and said, ‘Is not this the man who made havoc in Jerusalem of those who called upon this name? And has he not come here for this purpose, to bring them bound before the chief priests?'” Acts 9:1-6,8-9,17-21
Running bent on darkness, arrested by light. Threatening Christians, proclaiming Jesus. Enemy slave, intimate Savior. Helplessly blind, able to see. Weakened, made strong. Spiritual havoc, divine reconciliation. Paul’s story was flush with opposites in body, spirit, and experience. He was a full-on enemy of Christ whose ways were fully transformed by his relentless Rescuer, a hard rock made living flesh, and he would never be the same. (Ezekiel 36:26)
Christ the Godly died for the ungodly, the Mighty One for the weak and helpless, the Reconciler for enemies. We were dead and He died to give life, we walked the course of this world and He opened the way to heaven. Children of wrath are renamed His own. What wondrous love has Christ to reverse opponents, redeem rebels, and render opposites! (Romans 5:6,8,10; Ephesians 2:1-5)
What areas in our lives need turning around? Are there habits of the tongue or reactions of the heart that elevate man and denigrate God? Where do I complain rather than give thanks? Where do I need an about-face in impulse desires, or a change of tone in default responses? Where need I put off self and put on the Lord? Would I come to Him for transformation, choose to see with His eyes, and begin to practice His ways instead of mine? (Colossians 3:1-3,5-10,12-23)
Lord, may I ever marvel at how opposite You are from me, that You saved me. May I live fully for You opposite from, but effective in, the world.
As the rain and snow 