Let me tell you, my brothers, that the gospel I preach is not of human origin. I did not receive if from any man, nor did anyone teach it to me. It was Jesus Christ himself who revealed it to me.

You have been told how I used to live when I was devoted to the Jewish religion, how I persecuted without mercy the church of God and did my best to destroy it. I was ahead of most fellow Jews of my age in my practice of the Jewish religion, and was much more devoted to the traditions of our ancestors.

But God in his grace chose me even before I was born, and called me to serve him. And when he decided to reveal his Son to me, so that I might preach the Good News about him to the Gentiles, I did not go to Jerusalem to see those who were apostles before me. Instead, I went at once to Arabia, and then I returned to Damascus. It was three years later that I went to Jerusalem to obtain information from Peter, and I stayed with him for two weeks. I did not see any other apostle except James, the Lord’s brother.

Galatians 1:11-19

After Paul was blinded on the road to Damascus, the restoration of his physical sight became a powerful metaphor for the new spiritual sight he received from the Lord Jesus Christ. It takes time to grow in our relationship with Christ, and to see with the new spiritual eyes He has given us. So let’s be patient with each other, and especially with every new Christian we meet along our journey of joyful discovery.

Conversion is a step of faith;

Maturity is a journey of faith.

Our Daily Bread – May 29, 2002