“Now as Saul was going along and approaching Damascus, suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him” (Acts 9:3).

When my children were very young, I often would tell them to “act like somebody.” Later as teenagers, when they were particularly belligerent or childish, I would tell them to “act their age.” I always wanted my children to behave a particular way—and I must confess that sometimes I would become angry, and in certain situations perhaps embarrassed, when they behaved badly.

The life story of Saul (who became Paul) is a reminder to parents and teenagers that change is always possible. Saul began his relationship with the church exhibiting some rather cruel behaviors. He was angry, and in his zeal and persistence was quite intent to harm the church.

However, his journey down the Damascus Road proved life-changing, as he was blinded by the light of Christ; from that moment on, he began to act up instead of acting out. His attitude changed, but more importantly so did his behaviors and responses. Instead of being zealous against the church, he used this same zeal to take the message of the gospel into other lands.

I like Paul’s story because it reminds me that God can use all personalities. In our youth groups, we may have teens who are curt, belligerent, quiet, unassuming, intentional, creative or highly intelligent. Paul’s personality didn’t change after he became a believer, but his responses did. He was still the same person, but he identified differently. Our teenagers won’t change personalities either; but that doesn’t mean God can’t use their gifts, talents, minds and hearts.

Our faith is an acting up faith. We are called to use the better angles of our natures, to be light and salt to others. When we challenge the teenagers in our groups to act up, we are asking them to become their fully developed selves with God’s help. We can’t do everything, but we can be all God created us to be. In most situations, that is enough.