I’m not an aficionado of old automobiles, but one aspect of the Stanley Steamer has always fascinated me. It’s not just that it was a relatively successful steam-powered car, but that because of its immense torque it didn’t need any transmission. That meant that it could do a full reverse on-the-fly. You could be steaming along going forward, then pull a lever and be moving just as fast backward. Try that with a modern car!
Something like that happened in Saul’s life when he met Jesus on the road to Damascus in Acts 9:1-22. From heading full tilt toward persecution of Christians and the fledgling church, Saul turned and became the greatest advocate and missionary for faith in Jesus, a total course reversal almost instantly. Even his name changed from Saul to Paul.
Our world and the Christian faith are completely different from what would have been the case had not Saul reversed direction there on the road to Damascus. Christianity might have died out and been a relatively unknown little religious movement like so many other religions of the Roman Empire. Instead, Saul’s conversion set him on a course to spread his new faith all over the Mediterranean world and even into Europe.
Maybe God has some reversals in store for you and me. We would probably greet them with dismay and disappointment, but if God reverses us, then the new direction may be just where we need to head. Let’s be ready for God’s hand on that gear shift or steering wheel.