Most of us would have heard of the story of Paul’s conversion along the road to Damascus. It was a dramatic story of how Jesus blinded Paul’s eyes – and asked him, “Why are you persecuting me?”. From a violent persecutor of Jesus’ followers, Paul made a total turn to become Jesus’ most ardent supporter – bringing the Good News of Jesus to many gentile countries and writing many of the letters in the New Testament.
What is less known about Paul’s story is that he had gone to Arabia after his conversion:
”…to reveal his Son in me so that I might preach him among the Gentiles, my immediate response was not to consult any human being. I did not go up to Jerusalem to see those who were apostles before I was, but I went into Arabia. Later I returned to Damascus. Then after three years, I went up to Jerusalem to get acquainted with Cephas and stayed with him fifteen days.” — Galatians 1:16-18 (NIV)
Paul did not seek approval or validation from the apostles in Jerusalem after his conversion. He went directly to seek God. Just God. He realized that he had to unlearn his childhood teachings and relearn scriptures with Jesus as the centre of The Truth.
Paul was very learned and knowledgeable. But God had to transform Paul’s heart. He took him out in the desert to experience God, beyond his vast religious knowledge. God revealed Himself to Paul in the desert.
The hidden season is where God lays down the foundation of His truth.
If you are in a quiet hidden season, do not be discouraged that God has abandoned you. Rest assured that He is taking you through the refining fire for your soul.
Question: What is God wanting me to unlearn or rebuild in this quiet hidden season of my life?