What do you want me to do

In Acts 22, Saul—later known as the Apostle Paul—asked two pivotal questions during his encounter with Jesus on the road to Damascus. This life-changing moment forever altered the course of his life and mission.

Saul had been deeply committed to Judaism, believing that the early Christian movement posed a grave threat to the core of the Jewish faith and the authority of the Law. To him, the teachings of Jesus and His followers were a dangerous heresy. As a result, Saul became a fierce opponent of the Christians, actively working to suppress them.

He was present at the execution of Stephen, the first Christian martyr (Acts 7:58, Acts 8:1), and he sought to imprison and even kill followers of Jesus (Acts 9:1-2). Driven by zeal, Saul asked the high priest for permission to arrest Christians in Damascus—a mission that would soon change his life forever.

On his journey to Damascus, Saul had a transformative vision of Jesus (Acts 9:3-6). A brilliant light from heaven suddenly surrounded him, and a voice asked, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?” Bewildered and blinded, Saul responded, “Who are you, Lord?” The voice answered, “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting.”

Paul's Transformation

Following this encounter, Saul was transformed. Acts 9:20-24 tells us that, “At once he began to preach in the synagogues that Jesus is the Son of God.” Those who heard him were astonished and asked, “Isn’t this the man who raised havoc in Jerusalem among those who call on this name?” Yet Saul grew more and more powerful, proving to the Jews that Jesus was indeed the Messiah.

This same man who had once persecuted Christians—responsible for the death of Stephen and the imprisonment of many others—was now preaching the good news of Jesus Christ. His transformation was a direct result of his encounter with Christ.

Two Questions Everyone Asks After an Encounter with God

When God encountered Saul (Paul), he asked two critical questions that are relevant to everyone who experiences a genuine encounter with God:

  1. “Who are you, Lord?”

    This is the moment when we, like Paul, come face to face with the nature of God—His holiness, righteousness, and overwhelming glory. The brightness of God’s presence reveals our sinfulness, just as it did for Isaiah in Isaiah 6, who cried, “Woe unto me, for I am a man of unclean lips.”

    Yet in that same encounter, we see God’s compassion, forgiveness, and mercy. Paul was not consumed by God’s holiness; neither was Isaiah. Instead, they were both forgiven, just as we are when we have a real encounter with God. In that moment, we are made right with Him and become His children. But this is just the beginning.

  2. “What do you want me to do?”

    After recognizing who God is, Paul’s next question was, “What shall I do, Lord?” (Acts 22:10). 

    God answered by revealing His purpose for Paul: “The God of our fathers has chosen you that you should know His will, and see the Just One, and hear the voice of His mouth. For you will be His witness to all men of what you have seen and heard” (Acts 22:13-15).

    This echoes the mission Jesus gave to His followers in Acts 1:8: “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”

Our Response to God's Call

Brothers and sisters, when we have a true encounter with God, these two questions will resonate in our hearts: “Who are you, Lord?” and “What do you want me to do?”

It’s time we stop telling God what we want and start asking what He wants for us. Have we truly encountered God? Because if we had, we would hear the same call that Paul heard:

“Therefore, go and make disciples of all nations” (Matthew 28:19).

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