Image 3Saul, the persecutor of Christians is converted by a blinding flash of light on the road to Damascus.

Saul was a Jew and had been present at the stoning of Stephen, he was on his way to make sure that further Christians were held in check.

But, we are told in Acts 9: 1-20, that whilst he was on the Way he was blinded and a voice came to him asking him why he was persecuting him. Saul asked who the voice belonged to and Jesus replied that it was him.

He was three days without sight. Ananias was asked to find him and lay hands on him to restore his sight, which he did, but wondering why he was helping this man who was renowned as a persecutor.

And so the start of Paul/Saul’s start of leading the church and spreading the word in his imitable style into many countries and places.

Hidden in the story there are references to Christian terms; one being The Way and the other being The street that is called Straight.

The Way, or the path or the journey or the place in which to walk – a need to follow where we are called.

The Street that is called Straight… probably the modern Darb el-Mostakin in Damascus (as above), but reference to following the path that is straight although in a journey of faith it is seldom ever straight.

But to follow the Way and as much as we can to walk in a straight path, easier said than achieved and unlike Paul , after his conversion,many find it hard.

Rev’d Sue Martin Image 4