Chuck Locklear
fascinating characters, impactful books and messages
New Perspective… Joy
Losing your focus? Why not try a new perspective. Seeing with new eyes might just give us the power of Apostle Paul. God might actually renew our spirit and fill us with Joy.
Paul was born a Jew who studied under Gamaliel, a gifted teacher. Paul was thoroughly trained in the law of God. He said “I was just as zealous for God as any of you are today.” However, Paul was persecuting the followers of Jesus, even unto death. He arrested both men and women, throwing them into prison. In his heart, he thought he was doing God’s work. However, it all changed for him on the road to Damascus. Paul had letters from the high priest and the Council, giving him authority to take believers in Jesus as prisoners to Jerusalem to be punished.
Human Eyes
Paul was seeing the world through his own human eyes. But God wanted to open the eyes of his heart. In his own words, Paul said:
“About noon as I came near Damascus, suddenly a bright light from heaven flashed around me. I fell to the ground and heard a voice say to me, ‘Saul! Saul! Why do you persecute me?’ ‘Who are you, Lord?’ I asked. ‘I am Jesus of Nazareth, whom you are persecuting,’ he replied. My companions saw the light, but they did not understand the voice of him who was speaking to me.”
Acts 22:6-9
Clear As Mud
Incredible, Paul thought he was seeing clearly what God wanted for his life. The direction that he was going seemed ordained by God. With his human eyes, the path was clear. However, it was clear as mud. He was persecuting the Son of God.
Paul was blinded by the light, the power and love of God. What if the love of God shown so brightly on us that others just had to look away? Some would wonder what was going on. Others might be jealous and try to steal this gift. Like Paul’s companions, they might see the light, but not understand the voice of him who was speaking to me.
Try a New Perspective
If you could see your situation through the eyes of God? What would you see differently?
“Get up and go,” is what the voice of God said to Paul. And, he did. At Damascus, his eyes were opened. Now, for the first time, Paul saw clearly. He was changed, and, from this point forward, he began the true work that God had planned for his life. Because of his new perspective, Paul’s life left a lasting impact on our world.
What if you have been blind, unable to see what God wants you to see? Lord, give us new eyes. Open our mind to see our situation and your glory from a heavenly perspective.
“‘What shall I do, Lord?’ I asked. ‘Get up,’ the Lord said, ‘and go into Damascus. There you will be told all that you have been assigned to do.’ My companions led me by the hand into Damascus, because the brilliance of the light had blinded me.”
Acts 22:10-11
Copyright © 2023 Chuck Locklear
Also, see Power and Love.
What a new prospective to see Gid. I will share that my brother is in the hospital on a ventilator and my sister in law is very afraid of his out come. But as we continue to pray for his healing, he is improving every day. As I shared this song with her “God turn it around ” I said it was very uplifting and thought she would be lifted to. After she heard it, she said God is turning me around, that she sees God with new eyes. What a witness to your message!!
This is a powerful testimony. My sister is in the hospital as well and that song, “God Turn It Around,” was a reminder to me of the power of our prayers. I asked our church to pray for God to turn it around for my sister. Praise God, she is improving day-by-day. Thank you for sharing your testimony with me.