The conversion of St Paul

     Someone once said, "we are to be careful with individuals who demand that someone should have a specific kind of conversion. The correct method to come to Faith in Jesus is the way "God" brings that individual. So true as we understand the conversion of Saint Paul. 

     St Paul's intentions to keep the law when he was Saul, probably started out small, but because of fear and anger it grew to something even bigger than anything he could control. This new thing called "Christianity" was raising a ruckus. It was outside of what he had always been taught and it was sparking different beliefs than what he was used to and it was spreading. Bringing fear and unrest,  as a rebellion was arising and that fear turned into anger, just like fear always does. Sound familiar? 

     It's happening right before our eyes now. People are rebelling in fear and anger and the conversion they seek is not for their souls. It's for normality. Things that rock the boat aren't welcome very easily without a fight. There's always someone or something telling them, propelling them, to fight for their rights. This can be all very well and good if the propelling is being done by God, and not by someone unknown, and that usually means Satan. The spirit of hate or pride or anger is not of God and that is exactly what pushed Saint Paul to murder innocent men and women. Pride has many evil sides to it. He was becoming quite popular,  also a sign of pride. There is a certain breed out there that feeds on popularity. The false respect that it gives makes them feel important. Poor things. If only they would realize that the only important thing, the best thing, that they can do for themselves or their souls is to follow Jesus and Jesus alone. All credit, all honor, all deeds, go for the glory of God. 

     Sauls transformation to Paul just had to be severe enough to make him listen. Before that, he wasn't listening. The blood that flowed even by his own sword became feathers in his cap, as this false reverence of image became stronger and stronger. Struck down to nothingness off of his horse, he was able to listen. His inability to see made his fear tripled. He had been the controller before this. Now he had to rely on those that He commanded. 

     The heavy voice of God was heeded and thankfully he listened. The murdering that "he" commanded finally stopped. His conversion was complete.

     Saint Paul's conversion stands as a symbol of Hope for all of us. Realizing that even in the bloodiest of times and in such a breakdown of government from past rulers, there is hope and conversion waiting. Prayer will accomplish this for our loved ones, for America, for all World leaders, for ourselves. 

     We say along with Saint Paul, "speak Lord, thy servant is listening", bring all mankind back to its conversion to your Holy Statutes, those that are true and given by You Yourself. Let peace reign in our hearts and in our homes and in the world once again. Just like the light that you gave St Paul that Holy day of his conversion, give to us all that Holy Light, and cast out the darkness of fear and anger and pride. For you are our God and we give you Eternal Glory in "our" conversion of "our will" be coming "your" will. Amen