There’s a book that says “faith comes by hearing.” But here’s the thing. You gotta be willing to listen. Let me share a short snippet about a guy who was.
So, this guy’s name was Saul. He lived about 2000 years ago. And he was zealously dedicated to his Jewish faith. In fact, he was so dedicated that he persecuted anyone who would dare say Jesus was their Messiah. When I say “persecuted,” I mean he even killed them. He believed what they were doing was blasphemy. And that was a crime and sin punishable by death. Yikes!
Then, Saul met Jesus.
AFTER Jesus had been killed! Can you imagine meeting someone, after you had witnessed that person’s death? That might shake your foundation a little. Don’t you think? Well, it certainly shook Saul’s. Figuratively and literally. He was on a journey, near the city of Damascus, when something amazing happened. Saul described it like this:
“Now it happened, as I journeyed and came near Damascus at about noon, suddenly a great light from heaven shone around me. And I fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to me, ‘Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?’ So I answered, ‘Who are You, Lord?’ And He said to me, ‘I am Jesus of Nazareth, whom you are persecuting.’ And those who were with me indeed saw the light and were afraid, but they did not hear the voice of Him who spoke to me.”
Saul had to be led into Damascus because the light he saw blinded him.
But Jesus changed him forever. Even changed his name to Paul. And when he first started to share his new message about the Christian faith, people remembered him as that guy who had persecuted them.
How dare he try to preach to them?!
Who did he think he was, anyway?
But once people listened to Paul’s messages, they saw the glory of God in him. That’s one example of how God’s grace changes everything. Paul was changed forever. And he wanted everyone to know how they could be, too. And that’s why I write, sing, and talk about all this. I want you to know how grace can change you forever, too. But you gotta be willing to listen. And you gotta wanna be changed forever.
Here are the lyrics to a song I wrote a few years ago about how the grace and love of Jesus changes you. If you’re willing to listen, and look for it, I included this song in one of my podcast episodes. Or you can get it from a link inside one of my books. But that’s another story for another time. Right now, here are those lyrics:
Drawn To You
Maybe it’s Your grace. I don’t know.
It could be Your Word. I’m not sure.
But You have a way of refining my thoughts.
Your Will is my strength.
Your Will is my cure.
Anytime it’s me making it up
Show me I’m wrong to just forget You.
You barely lift a finger, and You change my whole direction.
What else can I say? What more can I do?
I’m drawn to You
Like a June-bug to the light.
I’m drawn to You
Like a boxer to the fight.
I’m drawn to You
Like a sweet tooth and ice cream,
And it may all sound extreme,
But I’m drawn to You.
Maybe I’ll wake up, maybe soon
And find You take me home…
Who can say?
‘Til then I’ll live it out. ‘Til then I’ll follow through
And see how many more might feel the same way.
Chorus
Jesus, help me, won’t You take me to my heart’s desire?
Nothing could mean more than having You to be my fire!
Take me higher. Draw me near.
Chorus…instrumental…repeat chorus to end
© Copyright 2000
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