Today's Passage: Acts 22

How many times do we change our story--especially in the face of accusation?  From kids to adults, from unknown to politicians, sports figures, and religious leaders, the vast majority of us are likely to change our story when the pressure is on.

Then there's Paul.  In this passage we find him arrested and speaking to his accusers.  He shares his story from the beginning--his conversion on the road to Damascus.  Facing hostility and prosecution, he shares boldly what Christ has done in his life.  These days the mere possibility of suffering of any kind is enough to change our story, or even silence it..  Before Paul's death he goes on through arrests, beatings, stoning, ship wrecks (and more) and his story still did not change! He was faithful to the Gospel through the very end!

How far are we willing to take our story for God?  How loud are we willing to shout what God has done for us?  What dangers are we willing to face to tell our story?

Today's Passage:  Acts 22

There are two sides of this story today, and both of them involve blindness.  Paul gives a powerful testimony about his conversion experience to help the people understand that he has been called by God to share the gospel message.  As you remember, God used physical blindness to show Saul that he was blind to the truth of the gospel...when that blind spot was removed, he was changed forever into Paul, who had taken the hope of Christ all over the known world at the time. 

Even in the middle of this powerful testimony, however, blindness makes a reappearance...not in Paul, but in the Jews of Jerusalem.  They listen intently until Paul speaks of his call to the Gentiles, and when they hear this, they respond with calls for his death.  They were convinced that God did not and could not love those who weren't a Jew, and in their blind hatred of the Gentiles they raged against this person who thought otherwise.  Only Paul's birthright as a Roman citizen saved him from persecution in this moment.

When we're blinded by something...rage, anger, hatred, bigotry, pride...it's awfully hard to see where God is leading.  Is there something in your life today that is blinding you to the plan God may have for your life?  Is today the day the scales could drop and you could see clearly?