Do you love a good story? I loved telling stories to our kids when they were little. First I told them funny stories. Then I told them Bible stories. My grandchildren listen attentively when I read books about Pigeon who needed to take a bath, but should never drive the bus. Stories can be powerful, even healing.
Luke recounts Paul’s conversion story three times. First, Luke tells the story. Here Paul tells his own story. We may forget that he lost his sight on the road to Damascus. As he came to trust in Christ, God restored his sight through the generous touch of the disciple Ananias. When something like shingles fell from Paul’s eyes, not only was his sight restored, but he could finally, clearly see that Jesus Christ is Lord. This story offered the hope of healing to others who had been blind to the truth about God. Some received Paul’s message, and others did not. But those who believed in Jesus were saved.
Martin Buber, the Jewish philosopher told his story, “My grandfather was lame. Once they asked him to tell a story about his teacher, and he related how his master used to hop and dance while he prayed. My grandfather rose as he spoke and was so swept away by his story that he himself began to hop and dance to show how the master had done. From that hour he was cured of his lameness.”
Our God stories are powerful. What is your story? How did God heal you? Tell your story. It is good to remember what God has done. God may even use it to heal someone else. When God heals us, like Paul, we are never again the same.
