“AHA Moments Part 2”

 

                As we continue the idea of having an “AHA Moment”, these moments also serve a purpose of conviction.  I wonder how proud Saul was of himself.  Afterall, he had done everything he could to stop a movement that he felt was detrimental to his culture, religion and way of life.  He had been driven by his studies in the Scriptures and his training to make sure he did all that was in his power to further their view of God.  In his estimation, Jesus was a threat!  His message, His death and His “supposed resurrection” were all viewed as damaging to all he had ever known.  His passion and zeal were so strong that he was willing to do whatever was necessary to prevent this message of Jesus being furthered.  His resume included things like approving Stephen’s execution, killing those who rebelled against the Law and arresting anyone who supported the cause of Jesus; until Acts 9.  Saul was continuing his ravaging of the church and had showed no signs of stopping.  In fact, as the chapter begins, he is on his way to Damascus with letters of approval to do whatever it took to suppress the message of Jesus.  That is when Saul’s “Aha Moment” happened!  While on the road to Damascus, he sees a light…then hears a voice…”Saul, Saul why are you persecuting me? Who are you Lord (sir)? I am Jesus whom you are persecuting…”(Acts 9.4-5).  How is that possible, he must have thought?  It can’t be Him? If in fact it is Him, then that means He is still alive…that means this movement of the WAY is real…that means…OH NO!  There it is “AHA”, I was wrong!  No one likes to be wrong, especially when it comes to something like this. This appearance of Jesus on the road to Damascus not only convicted him of murder, but of fighting against God.  The Bible says that as he continued his journey, he was blinded by the light that shined on his way to meet Ananias, for three days.  Three days gives Saul a long time to think and to process what had just happened to him.  He was guilty…guilty of suppressing the one thing he wanted to be advanced. Horrible thoughts must have entered his mind, “How could I have been so stupid? How could I have been so blind (no pun intended)? What is going to happen to me know?”  The Bible tells us that for those three days, Saul didn’t eat or drink anything (Acts 9.9).  His “Aha Moment” was one that didn’t make you feel very warm and fuzzy, but instead rather empty and broken.  Church, we need those types of moments too.  This one event not only changed Saul’s life, but it changed the course of history!  God knew that for Saul to become the Apostle Paul, this had to happen.  Brethren, I know it sounds harsh, but the reality is the only way God can fix us and give us purpose, is by becoming broken and empty.  Think about the moment you felt broken and empty, then focus on what fixed and filled you…then …change the world!