E-votional –  About Face, . . .

March 7, 2001
Verse:
He fell down on the ground and heard a voice saying to him, 'Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?' " 

-- Acts 9:4
http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?Acts+9:1-30
 
Thought:
The verse above and the link which follows, tell the story of Paul and his conversion.  Powerful, grabbing and transformational, this encounter changes Paul and shapes the future of the Christian Church.  Likewise we have the Ethiopian eunuch who has Philip Baptize him on the way to Gaza, Thomas, who screams Oh Lord, it IS You and the Centurion, who upon the death of Jesus confesses "truly this was the Son of God."  The encounter, and the change that follows.
Hear the Good News, our encounter with Jesus calls us to have "an about face" in life.  By the very fact that there was a conversion moment, we are led to believe the person's life and attitudes were headed in a different way, a different direction, but then the "about face."
As important to remember are those that had the encounter without the "about face."  The "rich young ruler" was one who walk away from Jesus, sad.  Though he did walk away sad, you can't help but wonder if he came back.  Conversion experiences are powerful, and they can create a massive change in our life.  Massive enough that if we are held in place by the chains of "self-interest" it can be painful as well.  This season of link is about self understand, soul searching and re-encountering our baptismal covenant, and more than that, it is about having an about face moment in our life.  Look at the direction you are going and decide, is an about face called for?
 
Prayer:
Lord, walking is the easy part, knowing where we are going, therein lies the difficulty.  Father, thank You for the direction You have offered to me, help me to accept it, then allow me to guide others to you.  Strengthen and Guide me during this time of Lent,that I might follow You all of my days.  Thank You for all You have done in my life, and all You will continue to do, through Christ our Lord I pray.  Amen.