Heavenly Light, Voice, Vision - this was Saul's awesome first encounter with Jesus.

Blinded, he went into a retreat - fasting and praying. Through another vision and another voice - sight came as he was filled with the Holy Spirit. Baptised, belonging to the Way - the converted Persecutor became the Evangeliser..."Jesus is the Son of God" (v 20)! Saul became the Lord's "chosen instrument" to bring His Name "before pagans and pagan kings and before the people of Israel" (vv 15-16). His election came with the promise of much suffering (v 16).

Today, we are in the third week of Easter. The Lord has risen! Before His resurrection, He suffered much - the most extreme being His crucifixion.

Hebrews says of the sufferings of the Son of God that through His suffering, He was made perfect (Heb 2:10). And by His bruises, we are healed (Is 53:5).

Saul, later named Paul, suffered much to bring the Gospel to many people and nations. Because he was willing to suffer, the Gospel spread. Likewise, the Gospel spread through many who were willing to suffer for the sake of the Gospel.

Today, let us ask ourselves: "Am I willing to place my life into God's hands, to be God's instrument, to bring the Good News to those who are hungry, thirsty, lonely, naked, sick, imprisoned - in the many and varied ways?" It may inconvenience us in more ways than one.