St Paul's Conversion

Acts 9 : 1 - 22

Today's 'feast day' of St Paul's conversion is a good reminder and apt too for this time of the year - when we might still be thinking about how this year will unfold deeper transformation in our lives. Paul was literally 'knocked' down - when his eyes were opened to the truth of Jesus. And some of us have had such 'conversions' - perhaps during a life threatening illness or a time of great trial....we may have 'met' the life giving Lord and submitted our lives to him.

But Paul's conversion story also reminds us that through his life he was constantly 'growing' - being led by the Lord, being moulded and humbled by his experiences of suffering, in his relationships with others and slowly 'understanding' and appropriating who God really is into all his life experiences. His conversion did not mean 'smooth sailing ever after' - for by following Christ he was put through many tests of faith, transformation of his weaknesses, and redirecting of his strengths towards 'kingdom work'.

I remember Paul for his declaration "For me to live is Christ, to die is gain" and I wonder how he came to such a place of deep surrender to God. Presumably - only by the grace of God!! Yet it was his desire that led him to ask for that grace. This part of his spiritual life draws me much more than his theological ponderings - that can be quite dense.......I somehow believe that it was his deep spirituality and growing relationship of love for his Lord that led him to express his theological understanding in his letters. Read as pure theology they become dry 'heady' stuff - but read as coming from this man who was passionate for God, they become beautiful testimonies of what it means to be on this journey of ever deeper conversion.