As he was traveling, it happened that he was approaching Damascus, and suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him; and he fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?”Saul got up from the ground, and though his eyes were open, he could see nothing; and leading him by the hand, they brought him into Damascus. (Acts 9:3-4,8)
Saul, who later become known as Paul, was a member of the religious elite of Israel. He was trained by the best teachers, and his passion led him to capture and persecute members of a new sect; Christian. Saul was one of those people who are thoroughly convinced they’re always right.
On the road to Damascus, God met Saul in blinding light. In an instant, Saul realized that all he believed had been false and that his life had been a lie. That moment was the pivotal point in his strong leader’s life.
He was literally and figuratively knocked down. His pride was shattered, his confidence blown away. But he submitted himself to Jesus Christ and to Jesus Christ gospel, and God rebuild him to become the most influential leader the church has ever known.
Great leaders often have great pride. To become useful to God, their pride has to be crushed. God can then use the broken pieces to create new, humble people whose consummate abilities are under the leading of the Spirit instead of driven by selfish ambition.
When God knocks us down, let God reform our passions and redirect our path so that we can use all our God-given abilities for Him and for others instead of ourselves.