Lesson Thirty Eight

SAUL ANSWERS JESUS’ CALL

To receive this weekly devotional and other content for your spiritual renewal, subscribe to our new Renew Newsletter.

Memory Verse: Acts 9:6
Further Study: Acts 9:1-22; Acts of the Apostles, pp. 112-130; The Bible Story, vol. 10, pp. 42-46

I had been asked to lead an organization. It wasn’t large, but it did carry some responsibility. And while my experience was lacking, I at least thought I brought some natural ability to the position. But innate ability and experience need to go hand in hand, and early on I hit some snags. One in particular had to do with an individual who gave me no end of trouble.

It wasn’t me personally, really, but it undermined everything I wanted to do. The individual stirred up others in the organization, caused murmuring, suggested ideas that things were not being done in their best interest, and no matter how hard I seemed to try leading, I kept hitting obstacles generally traced back to this one person.

One day I happened to have lunch with someone who was experienced with working with teenagers. I don’t know why I unloaded my concerns on him, but he listened and then offered this from his experience: What you are witnessing is leadership. Find a way to harness it for good.

Find a way to harness it for good. 

Saul was without a doubt a leader, committed, and passionate. And what’s more, all of it was actually for God or so he thought. He believed extinguishing followers of Jesus was what was best for Judaism. But in his story, we find God recognizing what my friend taught me so long ago. The leader needed to be redirected—moved to work for God, not against Him. And so, Paul has his Damascus Road experience.

I initially scratched my head at the counsel. This person was more of an irritant than someone I ever saw leading or even someone I wanted to work with. But when the opportunity came to put them in a leadership position, I took the leap of faith and chose this individual. While there was no bright light or God’s voice in the process, it was an amazing transformation. The individual, now in charge and not simply a worker, committed to the task and turned out to be a remarkable leader for good.

That one experience has altered my view of individuals who are challenging, especially children. There are some bright and natural leaders that may be living right in our own homes. They are the ones who want to run ahead, do things their own way, and perhaps don’t follow directions. Yet when one recognizes their potential, holds a firm hand, offers leadership opportunities, and offers strong spiritual guidance they can blossom and flourish into disciples for Jesus.

They can blossom and flourish into disciples for Jesus. 

This isn’t limited to children; it is similar with us as well. What are we doing to advance the cause of Christ? Or maybe a more challenging question is what may we be not doing that hinders His mission? Saul sought to stop it from spreading. We may not be murmuring murderous threats, but our silence can keep our light from shining. Let us listen and answer as Saul did that day on the road to Damascus: Lord, what do you want me to do? When we do, we will find ourselves renewed.

Digging Deeper 

Paul’s conversion story is a familiar one, but perhaps you didn’t know:

1. Saul is “breathing threats” against the Christian believers. In Acts this is contrasted with the Holy Spirit that “breathes” on them a life of renewal and promise.
2. Saul is commissioned by the Jewish high priest to go to Damascus seeking out believers. But Saul encounters the real High Priest on the way.
3. Verse 2 in chapter 9 is the first time the believers are called “The Way,” but it will appear five more times in Acts (chapters 19: 9, 23; 22:4; 24:14, 22).
4. In general, when someone in the Bible is confronted by a holy being, the individual will fall prostrate followed by words of comfort not to fear. In Saul’s case, there is no comfort offered.

Making it Real

Have you ever encountered someone who was simply difficult? Perhaps you have a child in your home that is testing your authority. Or there is a coworker that makes life particularly difficult because they continue to question decisions. First, determine this week to pray for the individual. Then look for opportunities to offer leadership or responsibility. Particularly in children, you may see an amazing transformation.

_________

Merle Poirier writes from Silver Spring, Maryland, where she works as the operation manager for Adventist Review and Adventist World magazines as well as the designer for KidsView, a magazine for 8-12-year-olds. She enjoys spending time with her family including being a grandmother to two active little boys, who greatly enjoy Starting With Jesus, and a granddaughter, who’s delighting everyone with her smiles. She is blessed to have all three living close by, continually bringing joy and delight.