Page 21 - Fasting Poems

Like most people, Paul was undoubtedly human enough, complex enough, and multi-faceted enough to experience both spiritual joy and assurance, and human doubt and insecurity within the same day.
I wanted to write a poem that explored Paul’s spiritual side, his joy at his conversion, and his human side, who must undoubtedly have felt disoriented and worried about what might happen. This is the reality of being human - we can be worshipping God and worrying about whether we remembered to lock the front door at the same time!
It ended up as two poems - both with the same structure and style, because they come from the same person (Paul), and culminating in a common conclusion, as the Spirit re-assures him that God has his life in His hands.
Acts 9 - 3-9
As he neared Damascus on his journey, suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him. He fell to the ground and heard a voice say to him, “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?”
“Who are you, Lord?” Saul asked.
“I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting,” he replied. “Now get up and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do.”
The men traveling with Saul stood there speechless; they heard the sound but did not see anyone. Saul got up from the ground, but when he opened his eyes he could see nothing. So they led him by the hand into Damascus. For three days he was blind, and did not eat or drink anything.
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The spiritual triumph: the joy of conversion
I can’t believe I’ve met my Lord, I can’t believe he lives! I’ve spent so long denying him, yet his love to me he gives!
I’m blinded by the glorious truth, that he should come to me And tell me that he wants my soul, to set the Gentiles free.
I feel euphoric, full of joy, I’ll praise him till I burst
For I have met the Son of God, who I had always cursed.
And yet it seems that I was wrong - the Messiah has appeared To bring me to repentance as Damascus we had neared
I’m confident what I have seen - my eyes can see it still