Lord, what wilt thou have me to do?

“And Saul, yet breathing out threatenings and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord, went unto the high priest,

And desired of him letters to Damascus to the synagogues, that if he found any of this way, whether they were men or women, he might bring them bound unto Jerusalem.

And as he journeyed, he came near Damascus: and suddenly there shined round about him a light from heaven:

And he fell to the earth, and heard a voice saying unto him, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me?

And he said, Who art thou, Lord? And the Lord said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest: it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks.

And he trembling and astonished said, Lord, what wilt thou have me to do? And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the city, and it shall be told thee what thou must do.”
(Acts 9:1-6)
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Acts chapter 9 gives a vivid account of the encounter of Saul with the risen Lord Jesus Christ on the Damascus road. The chapter gives us the detailed account of what Saul had committed himself to do prior to his conversion. We have an interesting account of Saul before his conversion, and Saul after his conversion.

On this particular day, Saul had a very busy schedule to fulfill, and he was fully prepared and committed to accomplish the task he had been assigned. Acts 9:1 describes the preparedness of Saul to carry out what he had set out to do.

“And Saul, yet breathing out threatenings and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord, went unto the high priest,”

Saul had received letters from the high priest authorizing him to go after the disciples of Jesus in Damascus. He had the full backing of the authority in Jerusalem. However, on his way to Damascus, he had an unusual encounter and a life changing conversation with the Lord Jesus Christ. The Lord apprehended Saul, who later became Paul, when he was busily engaged in an activity which he considered a service to the Lord. Everything he was doing or anything he had plans to do changed completely and forever after meeting the risen Lord.

We cannot compare our conversion experience with that of Paul, but the outcome of his encounter with Jesus ought to be our experience too. Paul’s perspective and pursuit of life changed completely after his encounter with the Lord. (2 Corinthians 5:17). The life-changing experience of Paul was as a result of the timely question he asked the Lord, and the response from the Lord in Acts 9:6:

“And he trembling and astonished
said, Lord, what wilt thou have me to do? And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the city, and it shall be told thee what thou must do.”

Beloved, you may be very busy doing so many good things in the church and in the pursuit of your life, but are you sure you have the Lord’s approval? Are you doing what the Lord would have you do? Probably, it is time to pause and have a conversation with the Lord and ask him: “… Lord, what wilt thou have me to do?” The year 2023 is still very “young”, so be sure that you are where the Lord wants you to be and you are doing what He wants you to do. As you ponder over this and pray, may you hear the Lord speak to you of His plan and purpose for your life for this year and beyond. Shalom.

OUR PRAYER
Lord teach me the way I should go and show me what you want me to do. I seek your will and direction for my life so that my service to you and mankind will have your approval. Amen.