I have worn glasses since I was 5 years old. I am far sighted so without my glasses I can see things far away ok but I can’t see anything up close and I definitely cannot read without them. If you wear prescription glasses, you know you have to go to the doctor regularly and get your eyes checked. And every couple of years, as your eyes get older and your vision gets a little worse, the doctor adjusts your prescription so you can still see. The last couple of times I was at the doctor he told me I could get bifocals if I wanted because my vision is just that bad. I was 25 with the eyes of a 75 year old.
Well fast forward 5 years. Lately my vision has been terrible. Everything seems blurry, I can’t read a book or watch TV without squinting. I’m very dramatic, so I started to think since my vision seems to have gone downhill so rapidly in the last 5 years I’m probably going to go blind soon. What am I going to do if I can’t read books anymore? I just spent the last 6 months getting my nail tech license, what happens when I can’t tell how many fingers a client has?
So, I went to the doctor, and it turns out my prescription hasn’t changed much, my glasses were just really scratched up. I got some new glasses, and I see in 4K now! Like most of us, I am very reliant on my sense of sight. I can’t imagine living life without it.
In a couple of weeks, we are launching our new teaching series and workbook on the book of Acts. So, when Colleen asked me to write a devotional teasing out the new series, Saul/Paul’s temporary blindness came to mind.
Acts 9:1–22
The Conversion of Saul
[1] But Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest [2] and asked him for letters to the synagogues at Damascus, so that if he found any belonging to the Way, men or women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem. [3] Now as he went on his way, he approached Damascus, and suddenly a light from heaven shone around him. [4] And falling to the ground, he heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?” [5] And he said, “Who are you, Lord?” And he said, “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. [6] But rise and enter the city, and you will be told what you are to do.” [7] The men who were traveling with him stood speechless, hearing the voice but seeing no one. [8] 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. [9] And for three days he was without sight, and neither ate nor drank.
[10] Now there was a disciple at Damascus named Ananias. The Lord said to him in a vision, “Ananias.” And he said, “Here I am, Lord.” [11] And the Lord said to him, “Rise and go to the street called Straight, and at the house of Judas look for a man of Tarsus named Saul, for behold, he is praying, [12] and he has seen in a vision a man named Ananias come in and lay his hands on him so that he might regain his sight.” [13] But Ananias answered, “Lord, I have heard from many about this man, how much evil he has done to your saints at Jerusalem. [14] And here he has authority from the chief priests to bind all who call on your name.” [15] But the Lord said to him, “Go, for he is a chosen instrument of mine to carry my name before the Gentiles and kings and the children of Israel. [16] For I will show him how much he must suffer for the sake of my name.” [17] So 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.” [18] And immediately something like scales fell from his eyes, and he regained his sight. Then he rose and was baptized; [19] and taking food, he was strengthened.
Saul Proclaims Jesus in Synagogues
For some days he was with the disciples at Damascus. [20] And immediately he proclaimed Jesus in the synagogues, saying, “He is the Son of God.” [21] 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?” [22] But Saul increased all the more in strength, and confounded the Jews who lived in Damascus by proving that Jesus was the Christ. (ESV)
God got Saul’s attention in a big way and Saul/Paul’s life was changed forever. The first ten chapters of Acts, which is what this series will cover, are full of big, dramatic encounters with God. I am not being dramatic when I say, studying them and letting God speak to you through them will change your life. I hope you’re excited for this study, it’s going to be good.
-Abby Crisler
P.S. Looking forward to seeing everyone at the women’s retreat! Be sure to save the date September 26-27. There will be more details shared on Sunday.