There are moments in life when God calls us—sometimes in a whisper, sometimes in a thunderous voice that shakes the very foundation of our souls. The question is, how will we respond? Will we answer, or will we resist?
Join Pastor Saleem from Nazareth as he shares a powerful devotional message about one of the most extraordinary transformations in history—the story of Saul of Tarsus, the persecutor who became Paul, the apostle of grace.
Saul was a man who was mission-driven, relentless, and zealous for the traditions of his forefathers. He saw the followers of Jesus as a threat and sought to eradicate them. But then, on the road to Damascus, everything changed. A blinding light from heaven surrounded him, and in that moment, Saul fell to the ground, trembling. A voice called out to him:
Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?
Acts 9:4
Confused and humbled, Saul asked the most important question a human being can ever ask:
“Who are You, Lord?”
This is where every journey of faith begins. Before we can serve God, before we can walk in His ways, we must first know Him. Without Jesus, there is no true life, no hope, and no future. Without Him, we remain lost, wandering in the darkness of our own understanding.
But the Lord, in His mercy, revealed Himself to Saul, changing his life forever.
The persecutor became the preacher. The enemy of the cross became its greatest ambassador. This is what happens when we encounter Jesus—we are forever transformed!
The Second Question That Changes Everything
Yet, Saul didn’t stop at the first question. He asked a second, one that every true disciple must ask:
Lord, what do You want me to do?
Acts 9:6
This is the question that turns believers into disciples, spectators into servants, and converts into world-changers. It is not enough to simply receive salvation; we must also step into the divine calling that God has placed upon our lives.
James reminds us:
Faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.
James 2:17
True faith moves us. It compels us to act, to love, to serve, to reach the lost, to bind the brokenhearted, and to proclaim the good news of Jesus Christ.
Nazareth—A Place of Humble Beginnings and Divine Purpose
Jesus Himself came from Nazareth, a town so insignificant that people scoffed, saying,
Can anything good come out of Nazareth?
John 1:46
And yet, the Savior of the world emerged from this place, teaching us that God delights in using the humble, the overlooked, and the unlikely to accomplish His greatest works.
Just as Jesus walked the streets of Nazareth, healing the sick and proclaiming the Kingdom of God, we too are called to walk in His footsteps—to be His hands and feet in a world that desperately needs His love.
Are You Willing to Answer the Call?
So many accept Jesus as their Savior but stop there. Few take the next step and ask, “Lord, what do You want me to do?” But this is the step that leads to purpose.
God has given each of us a unique calling. Some are called to preach, some to serve, some to encourage, some to give, some to intercede, and some to show mercy. But every single believer has a role in God’s Kingdom.
Now is the time to step forward. The world is desperate for the truth, for hope, for the light of Christ to shine through His people.
So today, let us pause and ask with sincerity:
“Lord, what do You want me to do?”
And when He answers, may we respond with boldness, with obedience, and with hearts full of love. For our labor in the Lord is never in vain (1 Corinthians 15:58).
Let us embrace our calling with joy, knowing that God has chosen us for such a time as this!