out of the dark...

As the gail force wind binds the cold to the frost bitten streets, the glistening sparkle of the crystals tell that the surface is slick and frozen. The adventure is about to begin. Trekking the roadway may just be the easier path thaßn the iced up snow covered trails that encircle the neighborhood.

The sun is teasing behind the clouds. It won’t peak out just yet as this journey begins. It hides yet a little longer and most would wait for its arrival, but not me. I have chosen to beset this trek this morning before the pathways become common place with dog walkers and meandering adventurers. The cold is beaconing me this morning.

Called to serve is what this young man was meant to do. He had been a student of their studies and proven himself superior to most his age. His zeal would be the catalyst they would use to tap down the resistence. It was futile of this new movement to resist according to the trusted leaders.

A meeting was called for and this young invigorated man was eagor to please the leaders. It was them who carried the faith and taught the truth that their people had followed since Moses first brought down the ten commandments. Yes, this day Saul was being sent to squash or rather shackle some of the dissidents of The Way holding up in Damascus.

Stepping around trees, icy patches, and frozen grassy knolls I traversed around the lake and through the neighborhood. Heating up, I unzipped the top layer paritally that was being worn. Stomping through the trail and out of a slippery shadowy turn the sun appeared. It appeared! The warmth of the rays enveloped me like a hug from my Father. A loving embrace of warmth snuggled me as I continued the journey. He was with me and I with Him!

Pressing forward with his orders Saul and his companions marched off to Damacus. Close to arriving, a light so brilliant forces Saul to the ground. The voice of the One who leads The Way spoke and admonished the disciple. Saul gets orders on what to do next, but he leaves the encounter unable to see. The companions were not blinded and lead Saul to his destination.

Then out of the darkness Ananias arrived and layed hands on him and prayed the baptism of the Holy Ghost for Saul. In those moments scales fell from the eyelids of Saul and he received his filling of the Holy Spirit (Acts 9: 17-18 KJV). Saul became Paul and would recount his conversion on many occasions, check out Acts 22.

I recall the words of Jesus in Matthew when I think of Saul or rather Paul’s conversion: “Leave them alone; they are blind guides of blind people. And if a person who is blind guides another who is blind, both will fall into a pit (Matt 15:14 NASB).” Paul’s scales were there, in part, to illustrate the blindness and deception he was taken into. But God illuminated a new way, a better way, His way.

When we come to Christ and receive the baptism, both of water and the Spirit, we too come to a new enlightenment. Not one of man, but one of a higher plain. God’s plain. Isaiah records it this way: “...and the eyes of the blind shall see out of obscurity, and out of darkness (29:18 KJV).” As we move forward in the days ahead, I pray the scales of deceit and falsehoods are removed from countless people. May the streets be lit with the warm embrace of the Father as the sun wraps it’s rays around you on a cold winter day!

Godspeed, The JourneyMan

Ps. Today’s story births from some reading time in the morning hours with the Lord follwed by a steady walk in my hood. May our eyes be openned to the truth of the Lord and may we follow His Way!

---

Isaiah 29: 8 KJV “And in that day shall the deaf hear the words of the book, and the eyes of the blind shall see out of obscurity, and out of darkness.”

Matthew 15: 14 NASB “Leave them alone; they are blind guides of blind people. And if a person who is blind guides another who is blind, both will fall into a pit.”

Acts 9: 17-18 KJV “An Ananias went his way, and entered into the house; and putting his hands on him said, Brother Saul, the Lord, even Jesus, that appeared unto thee in the way as thou camest, hath sent me, that thou mightest receive thy sight, and be filled with the Holy Ghost. And immediately there fell from his eyes as it had been scales: and he received sight forthwith, and arose, and was baptized.”