Week 2: Acts 7-12

     First off, I LOVE PAUL. He is one of my most favorite people in any book of scripture ever. I'm so happy we've gotten to the part of Acts where he comes into the story.
     Chapter 9 gives the account of Saul/Paul's conversion. After Jesus Christ appears to him during his journey from Jerusalem to Damascus, Paul is in Damascus waiting for further direction from the Lord. While Paul is waiting, struck blind and staying in the house of Judas {verse 11}, Christ appears to a man named Ananias in a vision, telling him to "go into the street which is called Straight, and enquire in the house of Judas for one called Saul, of Tarsus: for, behold, he prayeth, And hath seen in a vision a man named Ananias coming in, and putting his hand on him, that he might receive his sight." Now this is something we didn't talk about in class, but I was struck by it when I was reading - Paul had prayed. Not only had he prayed {past tense} but he prayeth {present tense}. Constantly, ever praying and soul-searching since his vision of the Savior. This man, who had spent his whole adult life persecuting members of the Christian faith, arresting them and often sentencing them to death, was most likely laying in bed, having refused food and drink for three days {verse 9} and probably experiencing something very similar to Alma the Younger's torment described in Mosiah 27. He obviously now knew that what he had been doing was against the church of the Son of God himself, and was most likely pouring out his whole soul during every hour of these three days, praying for and searching for solace. We know from verse 12 that Paul was sent a comforting vision of the man mentioned in the above verses, named Ananias, coming to him and healing him. I can just imagine what a relief that must have been, and how much Paul must have been longing for, and praying for, and hoping for this to come to pass in real life! What an amazing change from the man he used to be. He was now penitent and ready to be shaped by God's hands. And what an amazing instrument he became! Said Christ of Paul to Ananias in verse 15: "He is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel." Just foreshadowing to the amazing things this man would do. Paul's words are some of the most absolutely beautiful and inspiring words in the Bible, and some of my most favorite scriptures are coming up in his epistles. I'm so stoked to learn more about them.