“But Saul began to destroy the church. Going from house to house, he dragged off both men and women and put them in prison.”
—Acts 8:3 NIV

Paul (also known as Saul) was one of the most iconic figures of the early Christian church. He planted countless churches and is credited with writing 13 books of the New Testament.

But when God called him, Paul was on his way to the city of Damascus to arrest followers of Jesus.

He was a zealous and violent religious extremist fighting against Christianity.

Not exactly the person you would pick to be an early church leader.

And yet, on his way to persecute the church, Jesus placed himself in Paul’s path and changed the trajectory of his life.

That ought to make us rethink who is “too far gone” and what situations are truly hopeless.

Today, in this season of Advent, let God give you a holy expectation. Expectation that God will interrupt that person you’ve been praying for like Paul on the road to Damascus. Expectation that he will turn that seemingly impossible situation around.

And keep your eyes open: you might just run into God yourself if you’re paying attention.

Here is a short prayer to carry with you today:

Breathe in: God of tough cases,
Breathe out: Give me hope again.