When you have a Damascus experience like Paul’s, your life changes radically. Before, Paul killed Christians; now he supports the other side 100%. He is driven to use all his energy to tell people about Jesus. When you meet Jesus face to face, everything changes completely.

No prison can stop Paul. No stick hitting his body, no shout or spitting from a soldier will stop him. His passion to save others from eternal fire burns constantly and nothing can quench it, 4… may God open doors to tell the mystery of Christ, even while I am locked up in this prison. Pray that each time he opens my mouth he will make Christ clear to them.

I am embarrassed by my own little fire. It is so easy to extinguish or turn off. It is so easy for me to shut up and prefer not to say anything, because today we have to give everyone space to believe what they want.

Hats off to several teachers at my son’s school. They saw a need to help dads connect with their kids and started a movement called Engage. Any parent and child are welcome.

They know that many are not Christians. They are careful and try not to offend. But they are not afraid to say exactly who they believe. Even the director who spoke directly to the little children clearly said that he had chosen Jesus in his life. How wonderful it was when this same principal boy concluded the evening with a prayer and blessed everyone.

Here you could see that today there are still people like Paul who cannot keep quiet. The secret must be revealed. No matter the risk, whether it’s incarceration or the government or losing your friends, every person needs to hear the good news.

I think they know how to say the right thing at the right time. Yes, they are sensitive and give space. But that doesn’t mean they don’t talk. By hook or by crook, the secret must come out!

I realize we can’t make it work on our own. Paul knows it too. I suspect that Paul’s personality is more of a “twist or burn” technique and therefore calls for backup. We are too weak. Either our fire goes out or we are insensitive and chase people away before we have a chance to deliver the message.

God must help us. We need the Spirit of God to guide us so that we can say and do the right thing at the right time. So be it. May we be sensitive to the guidance of the Spirit.

Let us strive to follow Paul’s example. May we be like the teachers in my son’s school and burn like the main child to tell the good news and may the Spirit of God guide us to do it the right way at the right time.

Holy Scripture

Colossians 4:2-6

Reflection

Do you long to tell the secret of God?

Do you do it in the right place and at the right time?

Are they calling reinforcements?

Sentence

Father, please help me to use every opportunity. Please help me not to be ashamed to tell others the good news of salvation. Amen.