That "Aha" Moment

Have you ever had a spiritual “light-bulb” moment?

The profound “aha” moment in Paul’s life (leading to his name change from Saul), is the back-story to this incident with the proconsul and Elymas.

Paul hated Christians, arrested them, and put them in prison until a literal “blinding light” took away his vision. He heard a voice and asked, “Who are you, Lord?” He answered, “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting” (Acts 9:5). In a flash Paul knew he was wrong. Everything changed. Three days later he regained his sight and spent his life persuading people to follow Christ.

Fast forward to Acts 13:6-12. Paul is summoned by Sergius Paulus, the proconsul, to explain who Christ is. But Elymas, the sorcerer, has weaseled his way into Sergius’ entourage. Employing diversionary tactics, he obscures the word of God that Paul is teaching.

Filled with the Holy Spirit, Paul calls Elymas “a child of the devil, enemy of righteousness,” and asks pointedly, “…will you not stop making crooked the straight paths of the Lord? Now the hand of the Lord is upon you and you will be blind and for a time unable to see the sun” (Acts 13:10).

Just as had happened with Paul, Elymas becomes blind. Undoubtedly, Paul hopes that during his blindness Elymas will perceive the truth and surrender to Jesus. Although Sergius Paulus chooses to believe (Acts 13:12), we never read that Elymas did gain spiritual sight.

God often gives us opportunities to “see” Him in a new light. Will it take an “aha moment” for you to no longer be blind to the fact that Jesus can be more to you? Is someone in your life hindering you from believing in God more deeply? Who will you be after the light bulb goes on? Paul or Elymas?

Father, you sent Jesus into the world as a revelation of who you are. He healed the blind while He was here on earth. He can heal any blindness in me right now. Open my spiritual eyes to see and understand the reality that Jesus is the Light of the world, the way, the truth and the life I long for. Amen.

Go deeper – Has it been a while since you last learned something new in your relationship with God? Choose a book of the Bible and just start reading a chapter or two a day. Always start by asking God to open your eyes to truth so that you can become more like Jesus.