The Damascus road experience

On his knees under a cloud of stones that were crushing out his life, Stephen called out to God, “Lord, don’t hold this sin against them!” And with that, he died. Immediately the text informs us that a young rabbi by the name of Saul was standing there and “approved of their cruelty” (8:1). Can it be that the one who soon would play such an important role in the early growth of Christianity be this very one who now opposed it with such vehemence?
       The killing of Stephen marked the beginning of a wave of persecution against the believers in Jerusalem and there was no one more intent on stopping what was considered a serious departure from the ancient faith than the young man Saul. It was he who began to search out Christians door to door in order to put them in prison. When Jerusalem seemed to be somewhat cleared of these heretics, Saul headed out to Damascus in search of any who would claim that this simple carpenter was the Son of God. It was on the road to Damascus that everything was changed.
       As he approached the city, suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him and a voice called out, “Saul! Saul!” (9:2). At this point one would expect the heavenly voice to have condemned this young enthusiast, but that was not what the voice did. Instead, it asked, “Saul, Why are you persecuting me?” (9:4). And, if I may extend the question – “There must be a reasonable answer for your anger against me and the message I proclaim. What have I done other than to announce the coming of the kingdom of God and heal those in physical distress.”
       Saul’s problem in providing an honest answer to the Lord’s question was that he’d have to admit that his motivation was questionable, to say the least. In truth, he was undoubtedly interested in stopping this new movement.  Not only was it deviant, but it made it harder for him to reach his own professional goals. His strong attachment to the Jewish religion, as he envisioned it, made this new understanding of the ancient faith unacceptable. Yet, Saul was a genuine believer and the beatific light that had suddenly turned the road to Damascus into a heavenly shrine, left him on his knees unable to see. There was nothing he could do but to listen.
       There are times in one’s life when God addresses us in a way that demands our full attention. They may differ from the Damascus experience, but they require the same kind of response. We are humbled before the One who possesses complete authority, yet exercises it with gentleness. As in Saul’s case, God may ask us why we are doing whatever we are doing – not in a judgmental way, but with honest concern for our mistaken direction. When that happens – and we all have been redirected at certain times in life – our response should be to drop to our knees and acknowledge that we cannot see. That is when our eyes will be opened to see life and our role in it from a new perspective. It is as if life has become alive. We see our days as new opportunities to be open to Him and used as He sees fit. It is divine illumination, a Damascus road experience. Help us, dear Lord, to rise from every experience of this sort with eyes that see our remaining days as you would. As always, the light of heaven dispels the darkness of sin.