On our church calendar, January 25 is the Feast of the Conversion of St. Paul the Apostle, the day that Saul met Jesus, and he certainly met Him in an unconventional way. Blood-thirsty Saul is heading to Damascus to kill Christians who profess belief in Jesus, and Saul’s life is about to change. A light from heaven flashes around him. He falls to the ground and hears a voice: “Saul, why do you persecute me?” Saul replies, “Who are you, Lord?” and a voice says, “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting.” And at that moment, Saul temporarily loses his sight. His men led him to Damascus, where he fasted for three days. Paul needed to be startled out of his horrific behavior to learn about this wonderful God we profess to believe in.

You can read the whole story of Paul in the Book of Acts, Chapter Nine, but suffice it to say that Paul considered himself more than just a follower of Jesus. He considered himself an apostle, a title only given to the twelve whom Jesus personally chose. But in Paul’s mind, he, too, was personally chosen by Jesus.

Did you ever think that Jesus has personally chosen you to be his disciple? When you were baptized, you were adopted into his family of believers, and if you are not baptized, get in touch with me. We can make it happen! There is nothing greater than becoming a follower of Jesus. It will change your life!

About the author: Rev. Elizabeth L. Nelson is the priest at Good Shepherd Episcopal Church in LaBelle.