In His purpose

Immediately he preached the Christ[c] in the synagogues, that He is the Son of God. Then all who heard were amazed, and said, “Is this not he who destroyed those who called on this name in Jerusalem, and has come here for that purpose, so that he might bring them bound to the chief priests?” But Saul increased all the more in strength, and confounded the Jews who dwelt in Damascus, proving that this Jesus is the Christ.
Acts 9:20-22 (NKJV)

Saul was a passionate and prolific hater of the body of Christ. He pursued his passion with vehemence and utter aggression. Binding all that call on the name of the Lord and destroying anything that identifies with the living God. He was feared and he usually sent trembling tremors anywhere he appeared, for his mission was always a known one. However, a singular event at the road to Damascus flipped that passion of destruction of the body of Christ around to raw passion for Christ. No matter how high or low you may have gone or how steep or deep someone you know may have gone in our present time; one 'Damascus experience' can change that. When that happens, God lines up obedient saints (Acts 9:10-18) to perfect the conversion process for a new beginning.

Yes the notoriety badge and evil tag was all over him, but the moment Saul became Paul, and aligned with God's purpose, old things passed away and never really mattered from God's perspective. It was indeed a new beginning. Are you in His purpose? Only you can answer that.

Be encouraged,

Afolabi