Saul was with the disciples in Damascus for some days. Immediately he began proclaiming Jesus in the synagogues: “He is the Son of God.”
– Acts 9:20

Early in my coaching career, I was given the opportunity to become head coach of a small high school that had never had a football program. As I look back on that experience, I shake my head at how little I knew about what I was getting into. We had nothing! No field, no equipment, no locker room, no weight room and no players. What we did have was a community that wanted a football program very badly and a young coach who was too naive to understand the enormity of the situation. One scene I’ll never forget is a meeting with the players and their parents at the beginning of that first season. We had purchased brand new equipment for the team and I wanted the parents to know that their sons were well protected and safe. I had one of my players stand on a table in the cafeteria and proceeded to dress him from head to toe, one piece of equipment at a time. Truth be known, this was the first time most of the parents had ever seen shoulder pads and helmets up close. My job was to get these parents to believe their sons were well protected and I had to be convincing. If I didn’t believe my athletes were safe, how could they believe it?

Saul’s life was turned upside down on the road to Damascus. On his journey to persecute Christians, Saul became one himself. How could that be? In the local synagogues, Saul boldly proclaimed that Jesus is the Son of God. Those listening to Saul’s words knew that he had only recently hated the name of Jesus and now he was teaching that Jesus was God. Many hearing Saul did not believe their ears. They did not trust him and even wanted to kill him, but this did not stop Saul. Scripture says he became “more capable”. In other words, Saul “believed” in what he was saying and slowly others began to believe as well. We know the rest of the story as Saul became Paul and one of God’s true warriors for the faith. What about YOUR faith? What do you really believe? How convincing are you in your words and actions?

Heavenly Father, take away my doubts today. Help me to become more capable as I share Your promises with others. Use me today as one of Your warriors for the faith. Amen.