Afternoon PPN Families. 

Ever stared at a problem not knowing what to do and someone gives you this as advice, "Sometimes you just need to see things differently"? Well, there's an amazing story in the Bible about a man named Saul who experienced this in a huge way.

Saul really, really disliked the followers of Jesus. So much so that he was actively hunting them down to throw them in jail, or worse. One day, he was on his way to Damascus with official letters to arrest any Christians he found there, planning to drag them back to Jerusalem in chains.

But then, out of nowhere, a blinding light flashed around him, and he heard a voice say, "Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?" When he asked who it was, the voice replied, "I am Jesus." Suddenly, Saul couldn't see a thing! He was led into the city, blind for three days.

Then, a man named Ananias came and prayed for him, and bam! Saul could see again. And not just with his eyes. In that moment, everything changed. Saul, who hated Christians, became one! He even got a new name: Paul.

Paul immediately started telling everyone about Jesus, sharing the amazing grace he'd received. Despite facing crazy challenges—like being shipwrecked, imprisoned, and almost dying multiple times—Paul never stopped. He spent his life helping people understand God, reaching out to anyone and everyone. Many people came to know Jesus because of Paul's words and the letters he wrote that we still read in the Bible today.

Paul was totally transformed. Jesus helped him see clearly, both physically and spiritually. It reminds me of a verse Paul wrote in Romans chapter 12.

"Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect." (Romans 12:2 NLT)

Saul was just following what everyone else in his world thought was right. But Jesus showed him a different path, transforming his mind and his entire life. It’s a great reminder for us to think about how we can let God change the way we see things too.

Many blessings,

Pr Andy.