Directions for a Unique Journey
Life is a journey, uniquely crafted by God to lead us toward the purpose He has designed for us. Yet, there are moments when we drift from that path, unaware that we are heading in the wrong direction. Saul of Tarsus had to find his journey through divine intervention, a radical redirection that unveiled his true calling. His story serves as a beacon of hope, reminding us that no matter where we are, it is never too late to find your journey and embrace the plan God has set before us..
Before his transformation, Saul was consumed by zeal for the traditions of his ancestors. In Galatians 1:13-14 (NASB), he recounts, “For you have heard of my former way of life in Judaism, how I used to persecute the church of God beyond measure and tried to destroy it; and I was advancing in Judaism beyond many of my contemporaries among my countrymen, being more extremely zealous for my ancestral traditions.” His fervor led him to hunt down followers of “the Way”—early Christians who proclaimed Jesus as the Messiah. Saul sought to imprison them and dismantle their faith community, convinced that he was acting in God’s service.
A Journey of a Lifetime
But God had bigger plans for Saul, who was soon to find his journey in an extraordinary way. As he traveled to Damascus on a mission to arrest Christians, a bright light surrounded him. He fell to the ground, and he heard the voice of Jesus: “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?” (Acts 9:4 NASB). Blinded and humbled, Saul was led to Damascus, where he met Ananias. This encounter would mark the beginning of his transformation. Ananias, obeying God’s instruction, baptized Saul and prayed for his sight to be restored. In that moment, Saul’s self-appointed mission was replaced with a God-ordained one.
Saul became Paul, a man on fire to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ. He fully embraced his calling to be an ambassador of the Good News, becoming, as God declared, “a chosen instrument of Mine, to bear My name before the Gentiles and kings and the sons of Israel” (Acts 9:15 NASB). Paul’s journey took him across continents, planting churches, preaching to both Jews and Gentiles, and authoring much of the New Testament. The man who had once sought to destroy the church became its greatest advocate.
Heading in the Right Direction
Paul’s transformation is a profound reminder that God can take any of us from where we are and lead us to where He wants us to be. Jesus redirected Saul’s misguided zeal into a mission with eternal significance. His story demonstrates that when we surrender our plans and align ourselves with God’s will, we can find our journey and fulfill the purpose we were created for.
So, what can we learn from Paul? First, no one is beyond the reach of God’s grace. Second, transformation begins when we let go of our own agenda and seek His guidance. Finally, finding your journey means embracing the plan God has uniquely designed for your life, just as Paul did.
Ask yourself: Are you walking in step with God’s plan, or are you clinging to your own? If you feel lost or unsure, remember that God can use even the most unlikely moments to set you on the right path. Paul’s story challenges us to find our journey, trusting that God’s plan is always greater than anything we could imagine. Your journey awaits—will you take the first step?