Imagine just bee-bopping along with some co-workers headed to the next city. Maybe your thinking of work, having idle chit chat with the others in your group. Thinking to yourself, "So many things to do. What is my next task? Wonder what we're going to eat for dinner?" Suddenly your world changes...
"...a light from the sky suddenly flashed around him. He fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to him, "Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?" He said, "Who are you, sir?" The reply came, "I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. Now get up and go into the city and you will be told what you must do." The men who were traveling with him stood speechless, for they heard the voice but could see no one. Saul got up from the ground, but when he opened his eyes he could see nothing; so they led him by the hand and brought him to Damascus (Acts 9:3-8)"
I used to envy those that have this "Damascus Road" experience. I've never had such a stark experience in my life. Wouldn't it just be handy if God came into your life in such a way and explicitly ordered you what to do? Wouldn't it be nice if God showed you the right path and decisions to make in your life? What I failed to realize for years is that God does show us and order us the path we should take, however sometimes it is inconvenient to the lifestyle we want to live out.
When I think of Saul here, he was at the top of his game, when this experience happened. He was doing everything he thought was right to do. He was living his life according to the way his society thought he should, but he wasn't living it the way Our Lord wanted. Take some time today to evaluate your life with that in mind.
Maybe some of us will never have the "Damascus Road" experience just simply because we wish to diminish the everyday "Damascus Road" encounters we have with God.
St. Augustine's Prayer to the Holy Spirit
Breathe in me, O Holy Spirit, that my thoughts may all be holy. Act in me, O Holy Spirit, that my work, too, may be holy. Draw my heart, O Holy Spirit, that I love but what is holy. Strengthen me, O Holy Spirit, to defend all that is holy. Guard me, then, O Holy Spirit, that I always may be holy. Amen.
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